by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among sociology schools in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Sociology graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $32,914. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #2 spot this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $32,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kean University earned it the #3 place for sociology. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $36,432. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for sociology. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,000. Sociology graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $32,268 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $35,528. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,405 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,034. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $24,814 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $29,863. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,405. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,344. Set against $24,405 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Bloomfield College placed #11 among the best values for sociology. Set in the suburb of Bloomfield, Bloomfield College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Bloomfield College earn a median of $33,930 early in their careers. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey earned the #12 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,208. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $46,953. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
