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2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

200 Ranked Colleges
1,307 Degrees Awarded
$43,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Sociology is the 20th most popular major in the country with 37,747 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,307 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 200 colleges that offer a degree in sociology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great sociology programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k.

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

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Yale University is located in New Haven, Connecticut and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Yale also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Yale Sociology Report

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 18 degrees to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stanford University Sociology Report

#3

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at Duke University

#4

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#6 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 #4 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760.

Read more about Sociology at UPenn

#5

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 9 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at Northwestern University

#6

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#5 in overall quality

Harvard University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Harvard has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’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
#7 in overall quality

Princeton University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Princeton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Princeton, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton also made our “Best Sociology Master’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 Princeton University are $56,470.

Read more about Sociology at Princeton University

#8

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#12 in overall quality

Brown University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brown is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Providence, Rhode Island. It awarded 5 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown also took the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Brown University

#9

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 9 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at University of Chicago

#10

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Johns Hopkins University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 1 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also took the #0 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at Johns Hopkins

#11

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 15 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Read more about Sociology at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#12

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#20 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624.

Full Vanderbilt Sociology Report

#13

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Cornell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cornell University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Ithaca, New York. It awarded 5 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at Cornell University

#14

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

With a ranking of #14, University of Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Sociology at UF

#15

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#21 in overall quality

Rice University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rice is a medium-sized school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 3 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Rice has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice are $47,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Rice University

#16

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 14 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #24 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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 UNC Chapel Hill Sociology Report

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW - Madison Sociology Report

#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 25 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Columbia has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Sociology Report

#19

Hunter College

New York, New York

Hunter College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hunter is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Hunter College are $20,828, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Hunter College

Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 5 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UIUC is in the top on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at UIUC

#21

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#10 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on Sociology at Notre Dame

#22

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#15 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Berkeley

Top 20% in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle excels when it comes to sociology quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294.

Full UW Seattle Sociology Report

#24

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, University of Maryland - College Park did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMCP is located in College Park, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UMCP is also in the top of our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Maryland - College Park

#25

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
Top 25% in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 7 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794.

Read full report on Sociology at Purdue

Rest of the Best 31 in Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 31 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#27

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#28

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
#29

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#30

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#31

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

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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