2026 Best Value Sociology And Anthropology Schools
Looking for the best-value Sociology And Anthropology programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 61 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Sociology And Anthropology Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Located in Staten Island, NY, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Cuny College Of Staten Island Sociology And Anthropology students take on a median of $15,180 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,501. That is a strong return on a $15,180 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Cuny College Of Staten Island
A rank of #2 makes Valdosta State University one of the best values in the United States. Valdosta State University is a public school based in Valdosta, GA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $37,249 to complete their Sociology And Anthropology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,361. Set against $37,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%. More on Valdosta State University
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Springfield one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Springfield, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. University Of Illinois At Springfield Sociology And Anthropology students take on a median of $24,925 in debt. Median earnings reach $57,103 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants. Get the full University Of Illinois At Springfield report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Spelman College earned it the #4 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,556. Typical Sociology And Anthropology student debt is $26,397. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,993 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,397 median debt. Spelman College has an acceptance rate of 25%. More on Spelman College
Out of the 61 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Denison University landed the #5 spot. Located in Granville, OH, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,000 in tuition and fees. The median Sociology And Anthropology program debt is $26,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Denison University has an acceptance rate of 17%. Read the full report on Denison University
Washington And Lee University placed #6 among the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lexington, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete their Sociology And Anthropology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $94,810. That is a strong return on a $20,074 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%. More on Washington And Lee University
Southern Oregon University landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Ashland, OR, Southern Oregon University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,762, with out-of-state students paying around $31,887. The median Sociology And Anthropology program debt is $20,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,175. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Southern Oregon University
Lafayette College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Students borrow a median of $17,549 to complete their Sociology And Anthropology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $91,410. That is a strong return on a $17,549 median debt. Lafayette College has an acceptance rate of 31%. See the full Lafayette College profile
Carleton College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Northfield, MN, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,525. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. Carleton College has an acceptance rate of 20%. Read more about Carleton College
Oakland University offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Oakland University is a public school based in Rochester Hills, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Oakland University Sociology And Anthropology students take on a median of $25,972 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,612 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University has an acceptance rate of 88%. See the full Oakland University profile
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #11 among the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools in the United States. Based in North Dartmouth, MA, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth Sociology And Anthropology students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $68,804 ten years out. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Swarthmore College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Swarthmore, PA. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. The median Sociology And Anthropology program debt is $19,500. Median earnings reach $80,257 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. About 8% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Swarthmore College report
Lake Forest College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Lake Forest, IL, Lake Forest College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,402. Graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,825 ten years after entry. Set against $26,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lake Forest College has an acceptance rate of 57%. Read more about Lake Forest College
Centre College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Danville, KY, Centre College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Sociology And Anthropology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,240 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%. See the full Centre College profile
Wofford College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Spartanburg, SC, Wofford College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,005. The median Sociology And Anthropology program debt is $24,643. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,964. Set against $24,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Wofford College
University Of Puget Sound came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,898 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,924 to complete their Sociology And Anthropology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,594 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%. See the full University Of Puget Sound profile
Fairfield University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools. Based in Fairfield, CT, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,400 in tuition and fees. Typical Sociology And Anthropology student debt is $26,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $88,794. Set against $26,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairfield University admits about 33% of applicants. Read the full report on Fairfield University
Knox College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools. Based in Galesburg, IL, Knox College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,903. The median Sociology And Anthropology program debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,820. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Knox College report
St Olaf College came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Northfield, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical Sociology And Anthropology student debt is $24,644. St Olaf College alumni report median earnings of $65,543 a decade after entry. Set against $24,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%. More on St Olaf College
Ursinus College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools. Located in Collegeville, PA, Ursinus College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,061. The median Sociology And Anthropology program debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,721. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%. Get the full Ursinus College report
Cornell College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Cornell College is a private not-for-profit school based in Mount Vernon, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. The median Sociology And Anthropology program debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,460 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%. More on Cornell College
Lewis And Clark College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Lewis And Clark College is a private not-for-profit school based in Portland, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,828. The median Sociology And Anthropology program debt is $19,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants. Get the full Lewis And Clark College report
Albion College placed #23 among the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools in the United States. Set in Albion, MI, Albion College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,950. Albion College Sociology And Anthropology students take on a median of $26,254 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,799 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albion College has an acceptance rate of 81%. Read more about Albion College
Saint Michaels College came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Saint Michaels College is a private not-for-profit school based in Colchester, VT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,450. Graduates carry a median of $26,640 in student loans. Saint Michaels College alumni report median earnings of $61,317 a decade after entry. Set against $26,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Michaels College has an acceptance rate of 84%. More on Saint Michaels College
Taylor University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Upland, IN, Taylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans. Median earnings reach $52,198 ten years out. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Taylor University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Sociology And Anthropology Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Pace University New York ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. The median Sociology And Anthropology program debt is $25,670. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $70,378. Set against $25,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. See the full Pace University New York profile
Elmira College
Elmira College landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Elmira College
Lewis Clark State College came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. More on Lewis Clark State College
Rockford College
Rockford College landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Rockford College report
The University Of Montana Western ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools. More on The University Of Montana Western
Loyola University Chicago placed #31 among the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools in the United States. Get the full Loyola University Chicago report
University Of Southern Maine offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on University Of Southern Maine
Warren Wilson College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read the full report on Warren Wilson College
Tillamook Bay Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read the full report on Tillamook Bay Community College
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Bard College At Simons Rock offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read the full report on Bard College At Simons Rock
Webster University offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about Webster University
Augustana College Illinois landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Augustana College Illinois
Monmouth College
Monmouth College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. More on Monmouth College
Transylvania University placed #40 among the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools in the United States. Get the full Transylvania University report
Olivet College
Olivet College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Olivet College
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Rochester Institute Of Technology report
Earlham College
Earlham College placed #43 among the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools in the United States. Get the full Earlham College report
Principia College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools. Read more about Principia College
Cuny Graduate School And University Center offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center report
Bellarmine University placed #46 among the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools in the United States. Read more about Bellarmine University
Saint Cloud State University placed #47 among the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools in the United States. Read more about Saint Cloud State University
Millsaps College
Millsaps College came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Millsaps College profile
Guilford College
Guilford College placed #49 among the best-value Sociology And Anthropology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Guilford College
Bryant University landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Bryant University profile
Best Value Sociology And Anthropology Schools by Degree Level
Explore value rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Value Sociology And Anthropology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Sociology And Anthropology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Sociology And Anthropology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Sociology And Anthropology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Sociology And Anthropology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Sociology And Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Sociology And Anthropology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 61 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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