by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/sociology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1159 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in sociology, no school beat College Of San Mateo this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #4 place for sociology. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes De Anza College one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the sociology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
El Camino Community College District earned the #6 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Moorpark College landed the #7 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Sociology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in sociology this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Sociology graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Orange Coast College earned the #9 position for value in sociology this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Sociology graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College placed #10 among the best values for sociology. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
San Diego Miramar College placed #11 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $8,098. Early-career sociology graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
American River College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Sociology graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #14 for value in sociology this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Diablo Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College came in at #16 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #17 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $6,999. Sociology graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Saddleback College earned the #18 position for value in sociology this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #19 for value in sociology this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #20 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Sociology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $16,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Grossmont College earned the #22 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Santa Monica College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Canada College came in at #24 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Sierra College placed #25 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for sociology this year:
Explore the best-value sociology schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1159 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.