2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sociology Schools
For return on investment in sociology, no school beat Sinclair Community College this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for sociology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $19,315 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $36,826 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at University Of Wisconsin Parkside, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $35,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,568 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,832. That is a strong return on a $18,568 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Western Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Sociology graduates carry a median of $30,478 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $30,478 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #7 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $24,539 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,939. Set against $24,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #8 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,619. Early-career sociology graduates make about $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Sociology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $35,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #10 among the best values for sociology. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $41,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #11 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Sociology graduates carry a median of $21,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $31,548. Set against $21,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #12 for value in sociology this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,464 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,296. That is a strong return on a $19,464 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University landed the #14 spot for sociology value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,500. Sociology graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $20,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #15 for value in sociology this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,817. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,547. Set against $25,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Lake Michigan College earned the #16 position for value in sociology this year. Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Benton Harbor. In-state tuition and fees average $5,445, with out-of-state students paying around $7,755. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,473 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $50,185. That is a strong return on a $14,473 median debt.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,415. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #18 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $33,529. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #19 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $17,802. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Wayne State University placed #20 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Sociology graduates carry a median of $30,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $31,381. That is a strong return on a $30,422 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,198 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $32,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University placed #22 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $31,657 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,000. Sociology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $36,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Cleveland State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $25,575 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,490. That is a strong return on a $25,575 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago landed the #25 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Sociology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
Narrow Sociology Schools by State
Notes and References
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 · 160 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[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.
