by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 232 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in sociology, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,929. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for sociology. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,929 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $33,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Berea College one of the best values for sociology. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Sociology graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $21,227. Early-career sociology graduates make about $29,679. That is a strong return on a $21,227 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $22,164 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $33,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,721. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,516. Set against $25,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #7 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,925. Early-career sociology graduates make about $30,623. That is a strong return on a $14,925 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $31,147. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida came in at #9 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Sociology graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $35,728 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #10 among the best values for sociology. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $29,278. Sociology graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $47,633 early in their careers. Set against $29,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University placed #11 among the best values for sociology. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,572. Sociology graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Concord University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,664, with out-of-state students paying around $22,000. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,214. Early-career sociology graduates make about $36,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,307. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,926. Set against $26,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College came in at #14 for value in sociology this year. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Tifton. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,588. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,368 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $46,038. Set against $22,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College admits about 76% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #15 for value in sociology this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $43,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,015. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #17 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $27,400. That is a strong return on a $25,988 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Sociology graduates carry a median of $28,526 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $34,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Georgia landed the #19 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $30,576 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Shepherd University earned the #20 position for value in sociology this year. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,030 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $33,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Georgia came in at #21 for value in sociology this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,625. Sociology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $32,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University earned the #22 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $31,888. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $33,544. Set against $31,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Valdosta State University landed the #23 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Sociology graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University came in at #24 for value in sociology this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $34,511. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #25 for value in sociology this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,954 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $49,261. That is a strong return on a $24,954 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sociology:
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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 · 232 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 102 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.