2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sociology Schools
Our analysis ranked Brigham Young University Idaho the best value for a degree in sociology in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $31,353. That is a strong return on a $14,600 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for sociology. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Sociology graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,176. Early-career sociology graduates make about $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for sociology. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,071. Sociology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $36,308 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,071 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $27,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Utah State University landed the #7 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,450. Early-career sociology graduates make about $32,730. Set against $18,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #8 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $35,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Idaho earned the #9 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,572 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $31,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Adams State College placed #10 among the best values for sociology. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,824, with out-of-state students paying around $21,944. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $29,441. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $46,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #11 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,000. Sociology graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $42,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #12 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
Mesa State College placed #13 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,310. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #14 among the best values for sociology. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $27,226 early in their careers. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The University Of Montana came in at #15 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,650. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,160. Set against $24,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Idaho State University came in at #16 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $29,839 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $27,854 early in their careers. Set against $29,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Lewis College earned the #17 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $19,213 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $27,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #18 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #19 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Sociology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $40,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #20 for value in sociology this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Boise State University landed the #21 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $26,809. Set against $25,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Montana State University placed #22 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,595. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #23 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,819 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $37,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado College earned the #24 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Sociology graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver placed #25 among the best values for sociology. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $56,999. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
