2026 Best Value Sociology Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1161 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sociology Schools
California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,917 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 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. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $50,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #3 makes Stanford University one of the best values for sociology. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,694. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #5 spot this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Sociology graduates carry a median of $29,278 in student loans. Sociology graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $47,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,278 median debt.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,121. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $31,376. That is a strong return on a $24,986 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #8 among the best values for sociology. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,988 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $27,400. Set against $25,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #9 for value in sociology this year. 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, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,568. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,832. That is a strong return on a $18,568 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #10 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $24,490 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $53,131. That is a strong return on a $24,490 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $28,661. Early-career sociology graduates make about $44,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University came in at #12 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,888 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $33,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,490. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #15 spot for sociology value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,464. Sociology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $30,296 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,464 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
San Diego State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $12,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $29,824. Early-career sociology graduates make about $53,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #18 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. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,198 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $32,973 early in their careers. Set against $22,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
George Mason University came in at #19 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $20,514 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $38,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas placed #20 among the best values for sociology. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $33,566. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #21 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #22 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $31,000. Sociology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $58,541 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #23 among the best values for sociology. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,125. Sociology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $29,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #24 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $28,979. Sociology graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $44,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,979 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Texas Tech University placed #25 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $32,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Sociology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
Other Sociology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Sociology rankings across degree levels:
View All Sociology Rankings >
Notes and References
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 37 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.
