College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

78 Ranked Colleges
16,711 Degrees Awarded
$7,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Sociology is the 25th most popular major in the country with 38,475 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, sociology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,426 and had an average of $24,587 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 16,711 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,204 and $19,631 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 78 colleges that offer a degree in sociology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality sociology programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the sociology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Sociology Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Sociology Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $1,233 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Stanford University

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 374 students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $8,450 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Berkeley Sociology Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 766 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,037 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Los Angeles

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school awarded 274 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle also took the #4 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW Seattle is $5,194 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Sociology at UW Seattle

5

Out of the 78 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 402 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,887 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State LA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Cal State LA

6

University of California - Davis landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 275 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $10,006 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Davis

7

University of California - Irvine ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 306 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $6,540 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UC Irvine Sociology Report

8

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 395 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #21 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $4,590 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State Fullerton Sociology Report

9

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 161 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $9,823 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSD.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at UCSD

10

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. University of California - Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 726 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also took the #8 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $10,568 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Sociology Report

11

California State University - Fresno ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 147 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $3,859 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Sociology at Fresno State

12

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSULB is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 308 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $6,663 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Sociology at California State University - Long Beach

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 301 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $2,657 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at CSUDH

14

University of California - Riverside came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 403 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $6,810 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Sociology at UCR

15

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 167 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,122 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Sociology at California State University - Stanislaus

16

California State University - Northridge landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 499 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Northridge Sociology Report

17

California State University - Sacramento landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 292 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Sac State has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $8,163 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sac State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Sac State Sociology Report

18

California State University - East Bay ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 247 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay also took the #17 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State East Bay is $9,975 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at California State University - East Bay

19

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school awarded 259 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,985 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at California State University - San Bernardino

20
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 141 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $7,169 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Sociology at SDSU

21
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 63 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

USC also took the #5 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,287 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full University of Southern California Sociology Report

22
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SRJC is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Rosa, California. It awarded 115 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SRJC is $5,728 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SRJC Sociology Report

23

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 273 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #10 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,038 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UC Santa Cruz Sociology Report

24

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Bakersfield is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 147 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,238 for Far Western US Region Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.

Full CSUB Sociology Report

25
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose State University is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 214 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also made our “Best Sociology Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $12,158 for far western us region sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full San Jose State Sociology Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options