2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in Michigan

[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/sociology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
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2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sociology Schools
Leading the list is Oakland University, our #1 best value for sociology in Michigan. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $20,126. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,568. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $33,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #3. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $30,422 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,381. Set against $30,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Western Michigan University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,585 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $35,399. Set against $25,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $32,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $35,155. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $29,919. That is a strong return on a $35,155 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University earned the #7 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,985 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,055. Set against $26,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,484. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,488. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $29,181. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.