2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sociology Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Sociology graduates carry a median of $19,315 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $34,435 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Sociology graduates carry a median of $30,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $35,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $21,154 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Eastern Illinois University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,817 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,547. That is a strong return on a $25,817 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,415. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Dominican University landed the #7 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,657. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Chicago landed the #8 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. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Illinois State University placed #9 among the best values for sociology. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $33,636. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
North Central College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Sociology graduates of North Central College earn a median of $29,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Mckendree University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,740. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $40,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mckendree University admits about 72% of applicants.
Northwestern University placed #12 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,567. Sociology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $38,402 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University came in at #13 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,644. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #14 for value in sociology this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $34,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
