by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 5 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Grinnell College the best value for a degree in sociology in Iowa. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,196 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $28,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #2. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Sociology graduates carry a median of $21,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $40,602. Set against $21,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at University Of Iowa, which ranked #3. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,750. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Drake University one of the best values for sociology. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $56,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Wartburg College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,250 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,793 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $46,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.