2026 Best Value Sociology Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,917 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $50,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #3 makes Stanford University one of the best values for sociology. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

4

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,694. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

5

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #5 spot this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Sociology graduates carry a median of $29,278 in student loans. Sociology graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $47,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,278 median debt.

6

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,121. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

7

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $31,376. That is a strong return on a $24,986 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

8

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #8 among the best values for sociology. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,988 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $27,400. Set against $25,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #9 for value in sociology this year. 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, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,568. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,832. That is a strong return on a $18,568 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

10

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #10 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $24,490 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $53,131. That is a strong return on a $24,490 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

11

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $28,661. Early-career sociology graduates make about $44,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

12

Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University came in at #12 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,888 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $33,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.

13

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

14

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,490. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

15

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #15 spot for sociology value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,464. Sociology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $30,296 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,464 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

16

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $12,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.

17

Prairie View A And M University
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A And M University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $29,824. Early-career sociology graduates make about $53,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.

18

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University ranked #18 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. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,198 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $32,973 early in their careers. Set against $22,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

19

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #19 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $20,514 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $38,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

20

University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #20 among the best values for sociology. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $33,566. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

21

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #21 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.

22

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #22 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $31,000. Sociology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $58,541 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

23

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #23 among the best values for sociology. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,125. Sociology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $29,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

24

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #24 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $28,979. Sociology graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $44,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,979 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

25

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University placed #25 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $32,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.