by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sociology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Keene State College, our #1 best value for sociology in New Hampshire. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,581. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $42,048. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Dartmouth College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $64,377. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.