[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1161 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sociology schools.
The sociology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed 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.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for sociology in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $10,750. Sociology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $30,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,247. Early-career sociology graduates make about $42,710. Set against $11,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #5 place for sociology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $40,401. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #6 among the best values for sociology. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $34,350 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Cerritos College placed #7 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons earned the #8 position 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. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #9 for value in sociology this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $41,062. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #10 for value in sociology this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,917 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $12,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $42,335. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
De Anza College came in at #12 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
El Camino Community College District came in at #13 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Cuny Queens College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $28,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Moorpark College placed #16 among the best values for sociology. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #17 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $9,384. Sociology graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Oxnard College earned the #20 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #21 for value in sociology this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $8,098. Sociology graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
American River College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #23 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge came in at #24 for value in sociology this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $34,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #25 for value in sociology this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Sociology graduates carry a median of $10,613 in student loans. Sociology graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $27,919 early in their careers. Set against $10,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sociology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 1161 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 483 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).
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
