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 24 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.
For return on investment in sociology, no school beat College Of The Ozarks this year. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,944. The acceptance rate is 12%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #2 place for sociology. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #3 place for sociology. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,686 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $34,942 early in their careers. Set against $26,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #4. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,799 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,810. Set against $20,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #5 place for sociology. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $25,191 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,819. That is a strong return on a $25,191 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #7 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,386. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #8 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #9 spot for sociology value this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,499. Early-career sociology graduates make about $67,909. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.