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2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

111 Ranked Colleges
603 Degrees Awarded
$44,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 37,747 people earned their degree in sociology, making the major the 20th most popular in the United States.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 603 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 111 colleges that offer a degree in sociology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality sociology programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the sociology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The sociology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 111 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140.

Full Duke University Sociology Report

#2

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at UPenn

#3

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Yale is located in New Haven, Connecticut and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Yale also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Yale University

#4

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stanford Sociology Report

#5

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 111 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #5 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern Sociology Report

#6

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

Harvard University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Harvard University is a large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Harvard has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Harvard University

#7

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#8 in overall quality

Princeton University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton also took the #8 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470.

Full Princeton Sociology Report

#8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Johns Hopkins is located in Baltimore, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Johns Hopkins also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425.

Read more about Sociology at Johns Hopkins

#9

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#10 in overall quality

Brown University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brown University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Providence, Rhode Island. It awarded 8 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Brown has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Brown

#10

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

University of Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Chicago Sociology Report

#11

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#12

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#11 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cornell is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 8 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cornell Sociology Report

#13

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Florida Sociology Report

#14

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#24 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Vanderbilt University Sociology Report

#15

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#20 in overall quality

Rice University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This medium-sized school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Rice also took the #20 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913.

Read more about Sociology at Rice

#15 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 16 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at UW - Madison

#17

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Sociology Report

#4 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 13 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Columbia Sociology Report

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at UC Irvine

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#21

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
Top 25% in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IU Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at IU Bloomington

With a ranking of #22, University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW Seattle is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 7 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Sociology Report

#23

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

With a ranking of #23, University of Maryland - College Park did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in College Park, Maryland, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Maryland - College Park Sociology Report

#24

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#14 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #14 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at University of Notre Dame

#25

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#18 in overall quality

Emory University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Emory also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676.

Read more about Sociology at Emory

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Kontos.

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