2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in South Carolina
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
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2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in South Carolina
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
University Of South Carolina Aiken tops our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools in South Carolina. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $29,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #2 makes Francis Marion University one of the best values for sociology. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,170, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,500 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $28,982. That is a strong return on a $31,500 median debt. Francis Marion University admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Coastal Carolina University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,475. Early-career sociology graduates make about $24,738. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $33,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
College Of Charleston came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $28,801. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Clemson University earned the #6 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $36,320 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #7 position for value in sociology this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $30,517 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
