by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sociology schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Bunker Hill Community College earned the #1 spot for value among sociology schools in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,893 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester State University earned it the #2 place for sociology. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,596. Sociology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $66,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Bridgewater State University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $35,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for sociology. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $40,569. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $31,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Boston University placed #7 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,750. Sociology graduates of Boston University earn a median of $38,457 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Wellesley College landed the #8 spot for sociology value this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $48,902. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Sociology graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $40,675. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Clark University placed #10 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,569 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $43,257. Set against $23,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Suffolk University placed #11 among the best values for sociology. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $47,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Sociology graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $37,802 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northeastern University earned the #12 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $41,624. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Brandeis University earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $45,287 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Holy Cross earned the #14 position for value in sociology this year. College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,449. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,583. That is a strong return on a $26,449 median debt. College Of The Holy Cross admits about 18% of applicants.
Tufts University placed #15 among the best values for sociology. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,000. Sociology graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $47,859 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Boston College earned the #16 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,000. Sociology graduates of Boston College earn a median of $48,091 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.