by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 111 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sociology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in sociology, no school beat College Of San Mateo this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes De Anza College one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Valley College earned it the #4 place for sociology. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. 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. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #5 spot this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,306. Sociology graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Diablo Valley College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #8 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $16,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College came in at #9 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College earned the #10 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the sociology program here. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Modesto Junior College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Orange Coast College earned the #14 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $8,978. Early-career sociology graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. 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. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,692. Sociology graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Sociology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #17 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $10,288. Sociology graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #18 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Moorpark College came in at #19 for value in sociology this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #20 for value in sociology this year. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College came in at #21 for value in sociology this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Sociology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Antelope Valley College came in at #23 for value in sociology this year. Antelope Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $10,062. Sociology graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,062 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #24 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $9,191. Sociology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Sociology rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 111 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 111 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.