by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Harvard University tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Sociology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Worcester State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,975. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $33,636. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Framingham State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $33,885. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,680. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #5. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Sociology graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $40,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,686. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #7 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,596. Early-career sociology graduates make about $66,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Wellesley College came in at #8 for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $48,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public school located in the town of North Adams. Students from in state pay about $12,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,381. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $38,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College came in at #10 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,252. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #11 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $38,457. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Clark University placed #12 among the best values for sociology. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $58,467. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,569. Sociology graduates of Clark University earn a median of $43,257 early in their careers. Set against $23,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Holyoke College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Sociology graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $40,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Suffolk University placed #14 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,802. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Wheaton College Massachusetts placed #15 among the best values for sociology. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. Students from in state pay about $63,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $29,953 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University earned the #16 position for value in sociology this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $41,624 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Brandeis University came in at #17 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $45,287 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Tufts University placed #18 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $47,859. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
College Of The Holy Cross placed #19 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,449. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from College Of The Holy Cross generally make around $36,583. Set against $26,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of The Holy Cross admits about 18% of applicants.
Boston College came in at #20 for value in sociology this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $48,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.