Finding the Best Value Sociology & Anthropology School for You
The sociology & anthropology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology & anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny College Of Staten Island the best value for a degree in sociology & anthropology in the United States. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $15,180 in student loans. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $34,139 early in their careers. Set against $15,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in sociology & anthropology will find it at Swarthmore College, which ranked #2. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $19,500. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $37,249 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $30,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Oregon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology & anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,762, with out-of-state students paying around $31,887. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Southern Oregon University generally make around $27,702. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Oregon University admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned it the #5 place for sociology & anthropology. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $34,388. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
St Olaf College came in at #6 for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,644 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $40,848. Set against $24,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Centre College landed the #7 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Centre College earn a median of $29,054 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Carleton College landed the #8 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Students from in state pay about $68,892 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. The acceptance rate is 20%.
Knox College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Galesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,903. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Knox College generally make around $26,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Lake Forest College earned the #10 position for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,402. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $41,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Wofford College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $56,005 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $24,643. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Wofford College earn a median of $41,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Lafayette College came in at #12 for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $17,549. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $43,321. That is a strong return on a $17,549 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Pace University New York placed #13 among the best values for sociology & anthropology. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,670 in student loans. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $59,662 early in their careers. Set against $25,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
Lewis And Clark College landed the #14 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,828. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $19,000. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $24,098. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Puget Sound earned the #15 position for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,898 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $24,924. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $19,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
[Sociology & Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology-and-anthropology/) 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.
