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2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

22 Ranked Colleges
164 Degrees Awarded
$26,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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

Across California, there were 14,493 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 164 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 22 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Sociology Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 22 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Sociology (Income $30-$48k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 18 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Stanford

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 9 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Full UC Berkeley Sociology Report

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCLA Sociology Report

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456.

Full University of California - Irvine Sociology Report

#18 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

CSUDH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at California State University - Dominguez Hills

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA also took the #17 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at California State University - Los Angeles

#10 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 12 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Cal State Fullerton

#9 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 11 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at California State University - Northridge

#9

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#8 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 7 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SDSU Sociology Report

#10

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCSB is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 7 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at UCSB

#11

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCR Sociology Report

California State University - Long Beach ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 1 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Full CSULB Sociology Report

University of California - San Diego ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 1 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Full UCSD Sociology Report

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Davis has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Davis Sociology Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Sac State

#16

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#11 in overall quality

San Jose State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 5 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at San Jose State

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Marcos, California, this fairly large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

CSUSM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUSM Sociology Report

#18

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at USC

#14 in overall quality

University of California - Merced ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Merced is a public institution located in Merced, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Merced not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Merced are $43,854, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at University of California - Merced

#20

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #0 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Read more about Sociology at UC Santa Cruz

#21

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 6 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at Humboldt State University

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, The University of Arizona Global Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 17 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UAGC also took the #13 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UAGC are $14,664, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at The University of Arizona Global Campus

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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