[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1161 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for sociology in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $30,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,247 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $42,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values 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. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $40,401. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #4 place for sociology. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #5. 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. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $13,303. 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. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $34,092. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $13,917. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $34,714. That is a strong return on a $13,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #8 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,750. 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.
Cuny City College came in at #9 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Florida landed the #10 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,929. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,611. Set against $18,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Northridge ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $34,093 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #12 position for value in sociology this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. 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. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #13 for value in sociology this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $13,852 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $30,126. Set against $13,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #14 spot for sociology value this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
University Of Florida Online came in at #15 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,929 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,611. That is a strong return on a $18,929 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #16 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #17 position for value in sociology this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Berea College landed the #18 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Cuny York College placed #19 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $40,515 early in their careers. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Long Beach placed #20 among the best values for sociology. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Sociology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $31,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Fresno earned the #21 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,114. Sociology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $30,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Sacramento placed #22 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $16,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M International University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Sociology graduates carry a median of $15,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $23,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Channel Islands earned the #24 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $36,557. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #25 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% 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), 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 460 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
