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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Sociology

108 Ranked Colleges
603 Degrees Awarded
$23,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 for a Doctorate” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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” ranking analyzed 108 colleges that offered a degree in sociology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great sociology programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Sociology Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree sociology students.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Sociology

#1

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota

Out of the 108 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #1 spot on the list. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 5 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State University are $16,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full South Dakota State University Sociology Report

Out of the 108 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618.

Read more about Sociology at UNT

#15 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 16 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree sociology students list, UW - Madison has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at University of Wisconsin - Madison

Out of the 108 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Woman’s University landed the #4 spot on the list. Texas Woman’s University is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Texas Woman’s University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate list. Iowa State is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State are $25,948, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Iowa State

With a ranking of #6, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate list. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886.

Read full report on Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate list. BGSU is located in Bowling Green, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Texas A&M College Station

#9

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154.

Read more about Sociology at Loyola Chicago

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNL are $19,513, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

With a ranking of #11, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 4 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 University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126.

Read full report on Sociology at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#12

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 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 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

Read more about Sociology at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#13

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Kansas State University are $24,115, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Kansas State University

#14

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Kansas is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 3 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 University of Kansas are $25,007.

Read full report on Sociology at KU

#15

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 25% in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read more about Sociology at UNC Chapel Hill

#16

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#11 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate list. Cornell University is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 8 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cornell Sociology Report

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate list. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at University of Missouri - Columbia

#18

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate list. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547.

Full Virginia Tech Sociology Report

#19

The Graduate Center, CUNY

New York, New York

The Graduate Center, CUNY landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in New York, New York, this medium-sized public school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The Graduate Center, CUNY are $23,640.

Read more about Sociology at The Graduate Center

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate list. OSU is a large public school situated in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It awarded 3 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at OSU are $23,963, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at OSU

#21

Binghamton University

Vestal, New York

Binghamton University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Vestal, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 9 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Binghamton University are $25,290.

Read full report on Sociology at Binghamton University

University of Nevada - Las Vegas came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at UNLV

University of Alabama at Birmingham came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Alabama at Birmingham are $19,188.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Alabama at Birmingham

#24

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate list. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at University of Florida

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Akron Main 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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