[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $30,246 early in their careers. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,247. Early-career sociology graduates make about $42,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,125. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $40,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Sociology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $34,350 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $41,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #6 position for value in sociology this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $34,092. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,917 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,714. Set against $13,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College landed the #8 spot for sociology value this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $31,975. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College placed #9 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $28,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida earned the #10 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $18,929 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $33,611. Set against $18,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Northridge earned the #11 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $13,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,093. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #12 for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $10,613 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $27,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #13 for value in sociology this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,852 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $30,126. That is a strong return on a $13,852 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #14 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online came in at #15 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $18,929 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $33,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,160. Early-career sociology graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #17 position for value in sociology this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Berea College landed the #18 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $5,801. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,650. Sociology graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $40,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,650 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #20 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Sociology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $31,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #21 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,114. Sociology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $30,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #22 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $16,100. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,040. That is a strong return on a $16,100 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University earned the #23 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,812 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $23,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Channel Islands placed #24 among the best values for sociology. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $36,557 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #25 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sociology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sociology:
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 460 ranked schools only.
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).
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
