2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
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2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sociology Schools
For return on investment in sociology, no school beat Truman State University this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,799 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,810. Set against $20,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $40,871. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $33,482 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $38,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $20,377 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $38,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,686 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $34,942. Set against $26,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #7 among the best values for sociology. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $46,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,173 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Grinnell College earned the #8 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Sociology graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $28,216. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #9 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Sociology graduates carry a median of $19,400 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,809. Set against $19,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,001 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $42,703 early in their careers. Set against $23,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #11 position for value in sociology this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $31,819. Set against $25,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Iowa State University earned the #12 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,935 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $40,602. That is a strong return on a $21,935 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota placed #13 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,110. Sociology graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Kansas State University landed the #14 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,946 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $42,985. Set against $25,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #15 position for value in sociology this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $42,108. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Lindenwood University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Sociology graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #17 spot for sociology value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Hamline University placed #19 among the best values for sociology. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Sociology graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $33,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Iowa placed #20 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #21 position for value in sociology this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $44,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Augsburg College landed the #22 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $34,543. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Drake University came in at #23 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,273. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Macalester College landed the #24 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,104. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,147 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $42,517. Set against $22,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Wartburg College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,250. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $46,918. Set against $26,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
