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2022 Best Value Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

29 Ranked Colleges
860 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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

Across Illinois, there were 860 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in sociology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent sociology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the sociology program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 44 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $1,866 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern Sociology Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 51 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $2,712 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Full University of Chicago Sociology Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 74 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $5,477 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full UIUC Sociology Report

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #4 spot on the list. SIUE is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 39 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUE, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $8,055 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SIUE.

Read more about Sociology at SIUE

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 80 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $10,648 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at UIC

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 75 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,281 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northern Illinois University.

Full Northern Illinois University Sociology Report

#7

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Xavier University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 9 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for SXU is $11,266 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Sociology at Saint Xavier University

#8

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois State University is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 83 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $14,470 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at Illinois State

#9

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 28 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at EIU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $12,350 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Read full report on Sociology at Eastern Illinois University

#10

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and it awarded 9 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $18,440 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Sociology at Wheaton College Illinois

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 9 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, SIUC has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $13,658 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Sociology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#12

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jacksonville, Illinois. It awarded 6 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois College is $11,376 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Sociology at Illinois College

#13

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

WIU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $13,942 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Illinois University.

Full Western Illinois University Sociology Report

#14

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Elmhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Elmhurst is $16,903 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Elmhurst Sociology Report

#15

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. McKendree is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lebanon, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, McKendree has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend McKendree University is $15,184 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full McKendree University Sociology Report

#16

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bradley, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,205 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bradley.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at Bradley University

#17

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dominican University is a small school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 32 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Dominican U has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dominican University is $17,060 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Dominican University Sociology Report

#18

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Central, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Central is $18,889 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full North Central College Sociology Report

#19

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Bloomington, Illinois, and it awarded 6 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois Wesleyan has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,570 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois Wesleyan.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Sociology at Illinois Wesleyan University

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northeastern Illinois University has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $14,816 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Sociology Report

#21

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Augustana also took the #13 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $20,355 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Augustana College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Sociology at Augustana College

#22

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Millikin University is a small school located in Decatur, Illinois that handed out 9 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Millikin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Millikin is $17,656 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Sociology at Millikin University

#23

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago State University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for CSU is $11,507 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full CSU Sociology Report

#24

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Olivet Nazarene is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene is $15,806 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Olivet Nazarene

#25

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 2 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,097 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

Read more about Sociology at Concordia University, Chicago

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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