by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 210 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in the Far Western Region. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #2 place for sociology. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Sociology graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
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College Of The Canyons landed the #6 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Sociology graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Sociology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College placed #7 among the best values for sociology. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #8 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
San Diego Mesa College placed #9 among the best values for sociology. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Sociology graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $10,288. Sociology graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #11 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,000. Sociology graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $34,350 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Canada College earned the #12 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Sociology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #13 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Sociology graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
West Valley College came in at #14 for value in sociology this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,308. Sociology graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Imperial Valley College earned the #15 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College placed #16 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the sociology program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Grossmont College landed the #17 spot for sociology value this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College earned the #18 position for value in sociology this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Sociology graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #19 among the best values for sociology. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Sociology graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $42,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Moreno Valley College earned the #20 position for value in sociology this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Sociology graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College placed #21 among the best values for sociology. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Sociology graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for sociology this year:
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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 · 210 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 86 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.