2026 Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Sociology & Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology-and-anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology & anthropology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology & anthropology students.
What’s on this page:
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
For return on investment in sociology & anthropology, no school beat Cuny College Of Staten Island this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $15,180 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $34,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Swarthmore College earned it the #2 place for sociology & anthropology. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $66,971. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valdosta State University earned it the #3 place for sociology & anthropology. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $37,249. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $30,802. That is a strong return on a $37,249 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Oregon University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $31,887. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Southern Oregon University generally make around $27,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Oregon University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology & anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $34,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
St Olaf College placed #6 among the best values for sociology & anthropology. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,644 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $40,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,644 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Centre College placed #7 among the best values for sociology & anthropology. Set in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,820 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Centre College generally make around $29,054. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Centre College admits about 54% of applicants.
Carleton College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $45,096. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.
Knox College landed the #9 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,903. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $27,000. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $26,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Lake Forest College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,402. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $26,661. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $41,168. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Wofford College landed the #11 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Spartanburg, Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,005. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,643 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Lafayette College landed the #12 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. Students borrow a median of $17,549 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $43,321. Set against $17,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Pace University New York landed the #13 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. Students borrow a median of $25,670 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $59,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
Lewis And Clark College earned the #14 position for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Set in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,828. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $24,098. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puget Sound earned the #15 position for value in sociology & anthropology this year. University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,898. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,924 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $19,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puget Sound admits about 72% of applicants.
Other Sociology & Anthropology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Sociology & Anthropology rankings across degree levels:
View All Sociology & Anthropology 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 · 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.
