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2023 Best Value Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

52 Ranked Colleges
1,247 Degrees Awarded
$11,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Sociology is the 20th most popular major in the country with 38,394 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,247 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 52 colleges that offer a degree 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.

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.

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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 in the Plains States Region 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 26 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, WUSTL has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WUSTL is $1,556 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Washington University in St Louis

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 110 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, 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 93%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Sociology Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

UMN Morris also made our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $3,941 for plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Morris.

The school has an impressive undergrad 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 UMN Morris

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 37 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $9,766 for plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at Iowa State University

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,843 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Sociology Report

6
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa

Grinnell College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Grinnell, Iowa. It awarded 30 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grinnell, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,835 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grinnell College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Sociology at Grinnell College

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 50 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,005 for plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at University of Missouri - Columbia

8
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Macalester is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Macalester, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Macalester is $13,926 for plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Macalester College Sociology Report

9

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $11,835 for plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

10
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UND is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 32 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $12,394 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 full report on Sociology at UND

11
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #11, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #5 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,554 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Sociology at Iowa

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 40 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNL has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $11,672 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at UNL

13
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

With a ranking of #13, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 20 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNI has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $10,513 for plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Northern Iowa

14
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Kirksville, Missouri, this small public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,208 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Truman State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Truman State

15

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #22 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $11,692 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Sociology Report

16
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

K -State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $13,436 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Sociology at Kansas State University

17

University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 25 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $10,578 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at UNOMAHA

18
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #18, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for KU is $15,666 for plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, 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 86%.

Read more about Sociology at KU

19
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 51 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State is $14,171 for plains states region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at South Dakota State

20

With a ranking of #20, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

UMKC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $12,724 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 UMKC

21
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,348 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.

Full Saint Cloud State University Sociology Report

22
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Gustavus Adolphus is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Gustavus Adolphus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus is $15,735 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at Gustavus Adolphus College

23
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 9 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $9,991 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at UMSL

24

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri State is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $12,381 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Missouri State University - Springfield

25

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized school located in Moorhead, Minnesota that handed out 7 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,675 for Plains States Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at MSU Moorhead

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