by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Sociology graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,600. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,353. That is a strong return on a $14,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Salt Lake Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Colorado State University Pueblo one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,389. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $31,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $40,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Adams State College landed the #7 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,824 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $29,441 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $46,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Idaho State University landed the #8 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Sociology graduates carry a median of $29,839 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $27,854. That is a strong return on a $29,839 median debt.
University Of Wyoming placed #9 among the best values for sociology. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $27,059. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University placed #10 among the best values for sociology. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,450 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $32,730. That is a strong return on a $18,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Idaho ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,572. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,440. Set against $23,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #12 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $35,404. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #13 for value in sociology this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $42,022. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Utah landed the #14 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,071. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $36,308. Set against $15,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $27,226. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #16 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,666. Sociology graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
Western State College Of Colorado earned the #17 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,455 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $43,178. Set against $23,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Montana ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,650. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Fort Lewis College came in at #19 for value in sociology this year. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,213. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $27,553. That is a strong return on a $19,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #20 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $36,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #21 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $37,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Boise State University earned the #22 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $25,635 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $26,809. That is a strong return on a $25,635 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $36,595 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #24 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $17,819. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado College landed the #25 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,734. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $17,921. Sociology graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 18%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.