[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 428 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
Cuny Lehman College tops our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,247. Sociology graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $42,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,247 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Sociology graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #3 place for sociology. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,125. Sociology graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $40,401 early in their careers. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for sociology. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $41,062 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for sociology. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $12,500. Sociology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $34,092 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College placed #6 among the best values for sociology. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,691. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College placed #7 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $28,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #8 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $13,852 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,126. That is a strong return on a $13,852 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Florida came in at #9 for value in sociology this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,929. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,611. That is a strong return on a $18,929 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Princeton University placed #10 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. Sociology graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $32,914 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,917 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $34,714. Set against $13,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #12 position for value in sociology this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. 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. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Northridge earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Florida Online ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $18,929 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $33,611. That is a strong return on a $18,929 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #15 spot for sociology value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #16 spot for sociology value this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,160. Early-career sociology graduates make about $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #17 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $10,613 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Sacramento ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,100 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $37,040. That is a strong return on a $16,100 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $14,650 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $40,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University East Bay placed #20 among the best values for sociology. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,654. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,378. Set against $18,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #21 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $34,350. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #22 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $11,114 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,378. That is a strong return on a $11,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #23 position for value in sociology this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University came in at #24 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,812. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $23,384. Set against $15,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
California State University Channel Islands placed #25 among the best values for sociology. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,000. Sociology graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $36,557 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sociology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sociology:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 428 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 428 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
