2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 191 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sociology Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in sociology in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Sociology graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,246. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for sociology. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,247 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $42,710. Set against $11,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for sociology. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $40,401 early in their careers. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $41,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Sociology graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $28,825. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Princeton University earned the #7 position for value in sociology this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $10,888. Early-career sociology graduates make about $32,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #8 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the sociology program here. 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. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College ranked #9 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $14,650 to complete the sociology program here. 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. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #10 position for value in sociology this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $5,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $16,893. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,460 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #12 position for value in sociology this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,503 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $37,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,503 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,246. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Delaware landed the #14 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,661. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $29,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Delaware County Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,500. Sociology graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montclair State University came in at #16 for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $32,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kean University came in at #17 for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Kean University earn a median of $36,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University earned the #18 position for value in sociology this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,781 in student loans. Sociology graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $32,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,781 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in sociology this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,932. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Stony Brook University placed #20 among the best values for sociology. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $21,250. Sociology graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $32,912 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #21 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $39,435. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo came in at #22 for value in sociology this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $21,226. Sociology graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,600 early in their careers. Set against $21,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Students borrow a median of $25,940 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,079. Set against $25,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany placed #24 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,358 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam earned the #25 position for value in sociology this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,500. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sociology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sociology:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 191 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 90 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.
