2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Texas
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Texas
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
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in Texas. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,160. Sociology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,812. Early-career sociology graduates make about $23,384. Set against $15,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Lamar State College Orange one of the best values for sociology. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Texas At Dallas one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Austin Community College District came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,052. Early-career sociology graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Lone Star College System ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University landed the #9 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $33,719. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $38,438. That is a strong return on a $33,719 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #10 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $24,490 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $42,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #11 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,328 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $29,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Sociology graduates carry a median of $36,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $38,042. Set against $36,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Houston came in at #13 for value in sociology this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $30,723. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University landed the #14 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $21,237. Sociology graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,490 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #16 spot for sociology value this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Students borrow a median of $17,458 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $33,945 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,458 median debt. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #17 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $21,782 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,334. That is a strong return on a $21,782 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University placed #18 among the best values for sociology. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Sociology graduates carry a median of $29,824 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $53,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,824 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,375 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $31,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,375 median debt. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #20 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $30,941. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $37,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $44,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #22 among the best values for sociology. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $39,621 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #23 position for value in sociology this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,431 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $42,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Sam Houston State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $29,000. Sociology graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $24,612 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $58,507. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Sociology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sociology:
View All Sociology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
