2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 115 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sociology Schools
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University Central Texas the best value for a degree in sociology in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for sociology. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,812. Early-career sociology graduates make about $23,384. Set against $15,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #3 place for sociology. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar State College Orange earned it the #4 place for sociology. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at University Of North Texas At Dallas, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College earned the #7 position for value in sociology this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,789. Early-career sociology graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #8 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $15,235 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Sociology graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $29,167 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #11 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for sociology. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,986 in student loans. Sociology graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,986 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $10,425. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Texas Womans University landed the #14 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $33,719 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $38,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #15 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $42,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,328 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $29,066 early in their careers. Set against $22,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Sociology graduates carry a median of $36,615 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $38,042 early in their careers. Set against $36,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rose State College came in at #18 for value in sociology this year. Rose State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Midwest City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Students borrow a median of $13,451 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $50,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #19 among the best values for sociology. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,490 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $31,620. That is a strong return on a $26,490 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Angelo State University came in at #20 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #21 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,500. Sociology graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $30,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Arizona State University placed #22 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $46,675. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #23 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $17,458 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,945. That is a strong return on a $17,458 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Texas earned the #24 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $21,782. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $33,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Sociology graduates carry a median of $29,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Sociology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
Narrow Sociology Schools by State
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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 · 115 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
