2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 53 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Southwest Region
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
For return on investment in sociology, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,160. Sociology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for sociology. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,812. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $23,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes El Centro College one of the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #6 among the best values for sociology. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #8 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for sociology. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $29,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Austin Community College District placed #10 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #11 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,235. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar University earned the #12 position for value in sociology this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $36,615 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $38,042 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $31,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #14 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,490 in student loans. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $42,959 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,490 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #15 position for value in sociology this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,328 in student loans. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $29,066 early in their careers. Set against $22,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #16 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,375 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,555. Set against $27,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #17 among the best values for sociology. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Sociology graduates carry a median of $17,458 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,945. That is a strong return on a $17,458 median debt. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Lone Star College System came in at #18 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University placed #19 among the best values for sociology. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $33,719 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $38,438. That is a strong return on a $33,719 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rice University landed the #20 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #21 position for value in sociology this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $26,490 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $31,620. That is a strong return on a $26,490 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #22 spot for sociology value this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rose State College placed #23 among the best values for sociology. Rose State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Midwest City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $13,451. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $50,860. Set against $13,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston placed #24 among the best values for sociology. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $30,723. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University landed the #25 spot for sociology value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $31,410 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sociology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
Narrow Sociology Schools by State
View All Sociology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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.
