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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in the New England Region

44 Colleges in the United States
$22,891 Avg Student Debt
$73,122 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Sociology Badge [Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 86 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in the New England Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Sociology Schools

1
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester State University earned it the #2 place for sociology. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $33,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

3

Charter Oak State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,506 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,584. Sociology graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Set against $23,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Central Connecticut State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Sociology graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

5
Bowdoin College crest
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $47,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 7%.

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6

Framingham State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,885. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.

7

University Of Southern Maine ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $47,003. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #8 spot for sociology value this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $28,750. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $40,569. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.

9

Bridgewater State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $35,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

10

University Of Maine ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,175. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $30,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

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11

University Of Rhode Island came in at #11 for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,250. Early-career sociology graduates make about $42,554. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.

12

University Of Connecticut landed the #12 spot for sociology value this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,500. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,913. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

13

Keene State College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $36,581 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

14
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont came in at #14 for value in sociology this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Students borrow a median of $23,117 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $31,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

15

University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #15 among the best values for sociology. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,596. Early-career sociology graduates make about $66,985. That is a strong return on a $25,596 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

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16

Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,928, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $38,523. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

17

Southern Connecticut State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $32,013. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

18

Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts came in at #18 for value in sociology this year. Located in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,436, with out-of-state students paying around $21,381. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts earn a median of $38,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

19
Colby College crest
Colby College
Waterville, ME

Colby College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,600. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,016. Sociology graduates of Colby College earn a median of $46,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $42,048 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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21

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #21 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,686. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.

22
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College landed the #22 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

23
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University placed #23 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

24
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College placed #24 among the best values for sociology. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. In-state tuition and fees average $67,600. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,948. Early-career sociology graduates make about $28,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.

25
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College came in at #25 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Sociology Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:

26
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
27
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
28
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
29
Wesleyan University crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
30
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA
31
Mount Holyoke College crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA
32
Bates College crest
Bates College
Lewiston, ME
33
34
35
36
37
Trinity College crest
Trinity College
Hartford, CT
38
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
39
40
41
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
42
Bryant University crest
Bryant University
Smithfield, RI
43
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

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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 · 86 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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