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2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

21 Ranked Colleges
114 Degrees Awarded
$34,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 in the Great Lakes Region” 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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,219 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 114 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the sociology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 in the Great Lakes Region”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

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

Top 21 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Sociology in the Great Lakes Region

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #1 spot on the list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Full UW - Madison Sociology Report

#17 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region. BGSU is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

BGSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at BGSU are $15,823, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at BGSU

#3

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Loyola University Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Loyola University Chicago

#21 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Akron Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students list, University of Akron Main Campus has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Read more about Sociology at University of Akron Main Campus

#5

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 2 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794.

Full Purdue Sociology Report

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at UIUC

#7

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full IU Bloomington Sociology Report

#15 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at UWM

#13 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Illinois at Chicago

#20 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Kent State is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952.

Read full report on Sociology at Kent State

#16 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #11. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students list, UC has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Sociology Report

#12

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

WMU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Western Michigan University Sociology Report

#13

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#10 in overall quality

Michigan State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056.

Full Michigan State Sociology Report

#18 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. SIUC is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students list, SIUC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SIUC Sociology Report

#8 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students list, Ohio State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Ohio State

#16

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215.

Read full report on Sociology at Wayne State

#17

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Sociology Report

#9 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 2 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students list, Case Western has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Case Western Reserve University

#19

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students list, Notre Dame has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522.

Full Notre Dame Sociology Report

#20

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern University Sociology Report

#21

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at UChicago

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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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