2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Virginia

1

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

For return on investment in sociology, no school beat Old Dominion University this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,100 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $37,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Early-career sociology graduates make about $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.

3

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $38,916. Set against $20,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

4

Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $40,620 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia State University admits about 89% of applicants.

5

Radford University
Radford, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Radford University earned it the #5 place for sociology. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,514. Early-career sociology graduates make about $47,271. Set against $25,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.

6

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,285 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $32,781. Set against $26,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.

7

Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College came in at #7 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,090 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,423. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $38,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

8

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #8 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $19,168 in student loans. Sociology graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $31,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.

9

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington placed #9 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $35,499. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.

10

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University landed the #10 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $27,948. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.

11

Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University placed #11 among the best values for sociology. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,178. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,548 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $36,977 early in their careers. Set against $25,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary earned the #12 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.

13

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #13 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $45,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.

14

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,859. Sociology graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $38,768 early in their careers. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

15

Randolph Macon College
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,466. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Randolph Macon College earn a median of $39,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

16

Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College earned the #16 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,068. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Roanoke College earn a median of $38,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roanoke College admits about 83% of applicants.