2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in Tennessee
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sociology schools.
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2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sociology Schools
Austin Peay State University tops our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools in Tennessee. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,375 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $31,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Memphis one of the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $29,250. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $34,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $16,057 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $35,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #4 place for sociology. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,766. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Set against $23,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Vanderbilt University one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Lane College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Jackson, Lane College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,790. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $40,472. Early-career sociology graduates make about $23,591. Set against $40,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot for sociology value this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,352 in student loans. Sociology graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $24,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #8 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,013. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
