by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in sociology, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Sociology graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,812 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $23,384. Set against $15,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
A rank of #3 makes Lamar State College Orange one of the best values for sociology. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,506. Sociology graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas At Dallas earned it the #5 place for sociology. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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Austin Community College District landed the #6 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #7 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,052. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Lone Star College System earned the #8 position for value in sociology this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Sociology graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University landed the #9 spot for sociology value this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $33,719 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $38,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,719 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #10 spot for sociology value this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,490. Early-career sociology graduates make about $42,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #11 spot for sociology value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Sociology graduates carry a median of $22,328 in student loans. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $29,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,328 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University came in at #12 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,615 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $38,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Houston earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $30,723. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Angelo State University landed the #14 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Sociology graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $46,134. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #15 for value in sociology this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,490 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $31,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #16 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $17,458 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,945. Set against $17,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Texas placed #17 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,782 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,334. Set against $21,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $29,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,784. Set against $29,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Houston Downtown earned the #19 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Students borrow a median of $27,375 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,555. Set against $27,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #20 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $30,941. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,338. Set against $30,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #21 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $44,774. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #22 among the best values for sociology. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $39,621. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #23 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $36,431. Sociology graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,431 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Sam Houston State University earned the #24 position for value in sociology this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $24,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #25 among the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.