2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

For return on investment in sociology, no school beat Sinclair Community College this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for sociology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $19,315 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $36,826 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at University Of Wisconsin Parkside, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $35,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,568 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,832. That is a strong return on a $18,568 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

6

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Sociology graduates carry a median of $30,478 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $30,478 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

7

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #7 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $24,539 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,939. Set against $24,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

8

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #8 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,619. Early-career sociology graduates make about $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Sociology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $35,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

10

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #10 among the best values for sociology. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $41,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

11

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #11 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Sociology graduates carry a median of $21,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $31,548. Set against $21,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

12

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #12 for value in sociology this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

13

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,464 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,296. That is a strong return on a $19,464 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

14

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #14 spot for sociology value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,500. Sociology graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $20,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

15

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #15 for value in sociology this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,817. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,547. Set against $25,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

16

Lake Michigan College
Benton Harbor, MI

Lake Michigan College earned the #16 position for value in sociology this year. Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Benton Harbor. In-state tuition and fees average $5,445, with out-of-state students paying around $7,755. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,473 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $50,185. That is a strong return on a $14,473 median debt.

17

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,415. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

18

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #18 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $33,529. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #19 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $17,802. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

20

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University placed #20 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Sociology graduates carry a median of $30,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $31,381. That is a strong return on a $30,422 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

21

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,198 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $32,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University placed #22 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $31,657 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.

23

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,000. Sociology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $36,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

24

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $25,575 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,490. That is a strong return on a $25,575 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #25 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.