2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in South Carolina

[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sociology schools.
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2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in South Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sociology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of South Carolina Aiken the best value for a degree in sociology in South Carolina. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,760, compared with $21,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $29,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Francis Marion University, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,170, while out-of-state students pay about $21,544. Students borrow a median of $31,500 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Francis Marion University earn a median of $28,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Coastal Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $24,738 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Winthrop University one of the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,877. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes College Of Charleston one of the best values for sociology. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $28,801. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University earned the #6 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,125. Sociology graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $36,320 early in their careers. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.