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2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

21 Ranked Colleges
114 Degrees Awarded
$34,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 37,807 people earned their degree in sociology, making the major the 24th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, sociology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,727 and had an average of $23,622 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,239 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,473 and $25,310 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 114 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in sociology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great sociology programs and cost less that 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Sociology (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567.

Read full report on Sociology at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago Sociology Report

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #5 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at U-M

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on Sociology at UW - Madison

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #5 spot on the list. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 5 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Notre Dame Sociology Report

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 8 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Indiana University - Bloomington

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 2 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Purdue has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Sociology Report

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at UIUC

#8 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Sociology Report

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Illinois at Chicago

#11

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 5 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Michigan State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056.

Full Michigan State Sociology Report

#9 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Case Western not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958.

Read more about Sociology at Case Western

#18 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 3 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#14

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UWM has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#14

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Wayne State Sociology Report

#17 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. BGSU is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, BGSU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at BGSU are $15,823, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Sociology Report

#17

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. WMU is a fairly large school located in Kalamazoo, Michigan that handed out 3 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, WMU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355.

Full WMU Sociology Report

#16 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Sociology Report

#20 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Kent State University at Kent is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Kent State University at Kent Sociology Report

#21 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Read more about Sociology at University of Akron Main Campus

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 7 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154.

Read more about Sociology at Loyola Chicago

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Kontos.

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