by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Salt Lake Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in Utah. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #2 place for sociology. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Sociology graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,176. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah State University earned it the #4 place for sociology. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $18,450 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $32,730. Set against $18,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Utah came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Sociology graduates carry a median of $15,071 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $36,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
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Brigham Young University Provo placed #6 among the best values for sociology. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,000. Early-career sociology graduates make about $35,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #7 among the best values for sociology. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $42,266. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.