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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Sociology (Income $30-$48k)

111 Ranked Colleges
603 Degrees Awarded
$44,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” 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.

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

This year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 111 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in sociology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality sociology programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the sociology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Sociology Schools

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 $30-$48k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Sociology (Income $30-$48k)

#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 $30-$48k 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.

Duke also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Duke University

#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 $30-$48k. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn also took the #1 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Pennsylvania

#3

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #5 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Stanford University

#4

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harvard 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 $30-$48k 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

#5

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Yale University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Yale is a fairly large school located in New Haven, Connecticut that handed out 5 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Yale, the school also landed the #3 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 Yale University are $44,500.

Read full report on Sociology at Yale University

#6

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Northwestern University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 6 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #9 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 Northwestern University are $56,567.

Read full report on Sociology at Northwestern University

#7

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Princeton University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Princeton is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 7 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Princeton University

#8

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Brown University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Brown University is located in Providence, Rhode Island and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brown, the school also landed the #10 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 Brown University are $60,363.

Read full report on Sociology at Brown

#9

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#20 in overall quality

Rice University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Houston, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rice, the school also landed 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.

Full Rice Sociology Report

#4 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbia 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 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

#11

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#7 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Johns Hopkins University

#12

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Cornell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ithaca, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Cornell also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Cornell University

#13

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

University of Chicago came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 11 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UChicago has also earned the #12 rank 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 University of Chicago are $61,548.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Chicago

#14

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. U-M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Full U-M Sociology Report

#15

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#24 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at Vanderbilt

#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 $30-$48k ranking. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Sociology Report

#17

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Florida

#18

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#19 in overall quality

Boston College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Boston College has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Boston College Sociology Report

#19

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 25% in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 10 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at UNC Chapel Hill

#20

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#14 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 5 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #14 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 University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read more about Sociology at Notre Dame

#21

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
Top 25% in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 8 doctorate’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 Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

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 $30-$48k list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW Seattle Sociology Report

#21 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 13 doctorate’s sociology degrees 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 University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Irvine Sociology Report

#24

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#18 in overall quality

Emory University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 5 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Emory, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emory are $44,676, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Emory University Sociology Report

#25

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northeastern University is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 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 Northeastern are $25,558.

Read full report on Sociology at Northeastern

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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