by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Adams State College earned the #1 spot for value among sociology schools in Colorado. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,824, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,441 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $46,948. Set against $29,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Metropolitan State College Of Denver one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $42,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Mesa State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,310. Sociology graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned it the #4 place for sociology. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,625. Early-career sociology graduates make about $27,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Lewis College earned it the #5 place for sociology. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. Sociology graduates carry a median of $19,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $27,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #6 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $36,077 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Sociology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $40,011. 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 placed #8 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $37,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #9 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,819 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado College placed #10 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,342. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
University Of Denver came in at #11 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.