by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Berea College earned the #1 spot for value among sociology schools in Kentucky. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Northern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,572. Early-career sociology graduates make about $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for sociology. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $43,891. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Morehead State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $34,511. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #5 place for sociology. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $26,529 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $32,762. Set against $26,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,922. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville earned the #7 position for value in sociology this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $32,818. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisville admits about 79% 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.