2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Tennessee
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
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2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Tennessee
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
Leading the list is Tennessee State University, our #1 best value for sociology in Tennessee. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $37,500 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $34,884. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #2 place for sociology. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $23,766 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,766 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $16,057. Sociology graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $35,293 early in their careers. Set against $16,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #4 place for sociology. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $29,250. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,822. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Peay State University earned it the #5 place for sociology. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,375. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $31,699. That is a strong return on a $27,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,013. Sociology graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $35,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,013 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
East Tennessee State University came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,352 in student loans. Sociology graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $24,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University earned the #8 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Lane College landed the #9 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Lane College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,790. Students borrow a median of $40,472 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Lane College generally make around $23,591. That is a strong return on a $40,472 median debt.
Carson Newman College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $48,797. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
