by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 543 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
The sociology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Sociology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Sociology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Learn more about our methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for sociology in the United States. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,247 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $42,710 early in their careers. Set against $11,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $30,246. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #4. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,125. Early-career sociology graduates make about $40,401. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $41,062. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
De Anza College came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Sociology graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #7 among the best values for sociology. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Sociology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $42,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
College Of The Canyons came in at #8 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College placed #10 among the best values for sociology. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #11 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $61,459. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny City College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $28,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,852 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida earned the #14 position for value in sociology this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $18,929 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $33,611. Set against $18,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton landed the #15 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,917 in student loans. Sociology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny Queens College earned the #16 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,975 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #17 for value in sociology this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $34,093 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University placed #18 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Sociology graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $32,914. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Diablo Valley College placed #19 among the best values for sociology. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $9,205. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Oxnard College earned the #20 position for value in sociology this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
University Of Florida Online came in at #21 for value in sociology this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,929 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $33,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #22 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $5,500. Sociology graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $16,893 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #23 for value in sociology this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Santa Monica College came in at #24 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Santa Ana College landed the #25 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
These schools also placed among the best values for sociology this year:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #76 | California State University San Marcos | San Marcos, CA | Full Report |
| #77 | Sierra College | Rocklin, CA | Full Report |
| #78 | Mt San Jacinto Community College District | San Jacinto, CA | Full Report |
| #79 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
| #80 | Ventura College | Ventura, CA | Full Report |
| #81 | Miracosta College | Oceanside, CA | Full Report |
| #82 | Norco College | Norco, CA | Full Report |
Also worth considering for value in sociology:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #108 | Tulsa Community College | Tulsa, OK | Full Report |
| #109 | Bunker Hill Community College | Boston, MA | Full Report |
Sociology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sociology, General | 21,412 |
| Applied/Public Sociology | 114 |
| Rural Sociology | 29 |
| Sociology, Other | 7 |
View All Sociology Concentrations >
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 543 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 543 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.