2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in Virginia
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
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2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in Virginia
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
Leading the list is Old Dominion University, our #1 best value for sociology in Virginia. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,100. Sociology graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $37,946 early in their careers. Set against $26,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
George Mason University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,514. Sociology graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $38,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,514 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia State University one of the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,043 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Longwood University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $27,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #7 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,500. Sociology graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $35,499 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #8 spot for sociology value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $45,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Christopher Newport University landed the #9 spot for sociology value this year. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $25,548 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,977. That is a strong return on a $25,548 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
James Madison University placed #10 among the best values for sociology. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,168. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,513. That is a strong return on a $19,168 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $26,285 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $32,781 early in their careers. Set against $26,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #12 for value in sociology this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,859. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $38,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
