2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among sociology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $30,246. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #2. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $11,247 to complete the sociology program here. 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. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $40,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $41,062. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $31,975. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Sociology graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $32,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College placed #8 among the best values for sociology. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny York College earned the #9 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,650 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $40,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #10 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $5,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $16,893. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #11 position for value in sociology this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,460 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $34,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #12 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,503 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $37,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #13 for value in sociology this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Delaware ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,661 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $29,714. That is a strong return on a $24,661 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Delaware County Community College came in at #15 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Montclair State University landed the #16 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $32,268 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kean University landed the #17 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Kean University earn a median of $36,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
New Jersey City University came in at #18 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $25,781 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $32,082. Set against $25,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in sociology this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,932. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Sociology graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $32,912 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $39,435. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Suny At Geneseo placed #22 among the best values for sociology. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,226 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,600 early in their careers. Set against $21,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #23 for value in sociology this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,940 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $39,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny At Albany landed the #24 spot for sociology value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,358 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $33,433. That is a strong return on a $24,358 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #25 among the best values for sociology. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $36,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sociology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sociology:
Narrow Sociology Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 191 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 90 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
