2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sociology Schools
For return on investment in sociology, no school beat Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College this year. Set in the town of Tifton, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $10,588. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,368. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College generally make around $46,038. That is a strong return on a $22,368 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Georgia one of the best values for sociology. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $30,576 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Valdosta State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Sociology graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $32,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Columbus State University, which ranked #5. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $38,400. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $34,899. Set against $38,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Albany State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,656, while out-of-state students pay about $17,008. Sociology graduates carry a median of $28,158 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Albany State University earn a median of $47,466 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of West Georgia came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Sociology graduates carry a median of $28,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $34,393. That is a strong return on a $28,875 median debt. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Georgia State University earned the #8 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Sociology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $28,968 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Georgia Southern University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $34,627. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $34,375. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Emory University came in at #11 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $30,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.
Covenant College placed #12 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Lookout Mountain, Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,040. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,700. Sociology graduates of Covenant College earn a median of $37,404 early in their careers. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Morehouse College landed the #13 spot for sociology value this year. Morehouse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,893. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $29,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,391. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
