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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1161 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the sociology program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #3 place for sociology. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $8,750. Early-career sociology graduates make about $51,913. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at De Anza College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
El Camino Community College District came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Moorpark College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Orange Coast College ranked #9 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, 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. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College landed the #10 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 placed #11 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
American River College placed #12 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,105. Sociology graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #13 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Skyline College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. 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, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Sacramento City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College placed #16 among the best values for sociology. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. 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.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #17 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #19 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Sociology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #20 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College earned the #21 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Grossmont College landed the #22 spot for sociology value this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Santa Monica College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Canada College earned the #24 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College earned the #25 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.