2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Wisconsin

[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
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2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sociology Schools
University Of Wisconsin Parkside tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in Wisconsin. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,710. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point one of the best values for sociology. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which ranked #3. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned it the #4 place for sociology. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,125. Sociology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $41,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $33,529. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $17,802. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $35,889. That is a strong return on a $17,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #7 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $36,452 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Saint Norbert College earned the #8 position for value in sociology this year. Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of De Pere. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,580. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Marquette University placed #9 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,718 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $60,443. That is a strong return on a $23,718 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.