2026 Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools

1

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny College Of Staten Island the best value for a degree in sociology & anthropology in the United States. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $15,180 in student loans. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $34,139 early in their careers. Set against $15,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

2

Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Students looking for strong value in sociology & anthropology will find it at Swarthmore College, which ranked #2. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $19,500. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

3

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $37,249 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $30,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

4

Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology & anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,762, with out-of-state students paying around $31,887. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Southern Oregon University generally make around $27,702. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Oregon University admits about 89% of applicants.

5

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned it the #5 place for sociology & anthropology. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $34,388. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.

6

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College came in at #6 for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,644 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $40,848. Set against $24,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.

7

Centre College
Danville, KY

Centre College landed the #7 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Centre College earn a median of $29,054 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.

8

Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College landed the #8 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Students from in state pay about $68,892 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. The acceptance rate is 20%.

9

Knox College
Galesburg, IL

Knox College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Galesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,903. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Knox College generally make around $26,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

10

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College earned the #10 position for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,402. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $41,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

11

Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $56,005 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $24,643. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Wofford College earn a median of $41,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

12

Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College came in at #12 for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $17,549. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $43,321. That is a strong return on a $17,549 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.

13

Pace University New York
New York, NY

Pace University New York placed #13 among the best values for sociology & anthropology. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,670 in student loans. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $59,662 early in their careers. Set against $25,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.

14

Lewis And Clark College
Portland, OR

Lewis And Clark College landed the #14 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,828. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $19,000. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $24,098. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

15

University Of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA

University Of Puget Sound earned the #15 position for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,898 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $24,924. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $19,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.