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