by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/sociology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 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.
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools in Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,812 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $23,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for sociology. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
El Centro College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Lamar State College Orange one of the best values for sociology. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,506. Sociology graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #6 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Austin Community College District landed the #7 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar University landed the #8 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $36,615. Early-career sociology graduates make about $38,042. That is a strong return on a $36,615 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #9 for value in sociology this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,490 to complete the sociology program here. 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 came in at #10 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,328 in student loans. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $29,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,328 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #11 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,375. Sociology graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $31,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $17,458. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $33,945. That is a strong return on a $17,458 median debt. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Rice University placed #13 among the best values for sociology. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Lone Star College System came in at #14 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the sociology program here. 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 came in at #15 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Sociology graduates carry a median of $33,719 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $38,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,490. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $31,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #17 for value in sociology this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #18 position for value in sociology this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,723. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #19 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $30,941. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,338. Set against $30,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University earned the #20 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,784. Set against $29,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earned the #21 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,508. Sociology graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $47,130 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #22 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $36,431. Sociology graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,431 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #23 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,782 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $33,334 early in their careers. Set against $21,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $21,100. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #25 for value in sociology this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $44,774. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for sociology this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.