2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in New York
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 78 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sociology schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in New York
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
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $30,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $41,062. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,125. Early-career sociology graduates make about $40,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,247 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $42,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $28,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Sociology graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,975. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,691. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny York College earned the #8 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $40,515. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #9 spot for sociology value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $16,893. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #10 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,503 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $37,826 early in their careers. Set against $23,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Sociology graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $32,912 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Suny At Geneseo placed #13 among the best values for sociology. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $21,226. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Suny College At Plattsburgh ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,940 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $39,079. That is a strong return on a $25,940 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny College At Potsdam ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,000. Sociology graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $36,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #16 for value in sociology this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $28,676. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny At Albany ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,358. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,433. That is a strong return on a $24,358 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,091. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $26,901. That is a strong return on a $24,091 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #19 for value in sociology this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,072. Set against $22,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego placed #20 among the best values for sociology. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,282. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $33,258. That is a strong return on a $27,282 median debt. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $58,541. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,945 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $28,593. That is a strong return on a $18,945 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
College Of Mount Saint Vincent came in at #23 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Bronx, College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,540. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from College Of Mount Saint Vincent generally make around $31,763. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Mount Saint Vincent admits about 85% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland came in at #24 for value in sociology this year. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. In-state tuition and fees average $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,379. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $33,837. Set against $25,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Suny At Purchase College landed the #25 spot for sociology value this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,949. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $35,124. That is a strong return on a $19,949 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Sociology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
View All Sociology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
