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2026 Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools in Illinois

[Sociology & Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology-and-anthropology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology & anthropology students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools in Illinois

2026 Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools in Illinois

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology & anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools

1

Knox College
Galesburg, IL

$57,903 In-State Tuition & Fees

$27,000 Avg Student Debt

$54,820 Median Earnings (10yr)

Knox College earned the #1 spot for value among sociology & anthropology schools in Illinois. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,903. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $26,350. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

2

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

$56,402 In-State Tuition & Fees

$26,661 Avg Student Debt

$61,825 Median Earnings (10yr)

Lake Forest College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology & anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,402. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $26,661. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $41,168. Set against $26,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.