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Best Value Sociology Schools

2023 Best Value Sociology Schools

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

623 Colleges
$12,144 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$31,426 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Sociology School for You

Sociology is the #27 most popular major in the country with 38,475 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Sociology Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 623 schools in the United States to see which programs offered the best value experiences for sociology students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Sociology

Our 2023 rankings named Brigham Young University - Provo the best value school in the United States for sociology students. BYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Provo.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BYU are $6,120 a year. On average, sociology graduates from BYU take out $14,600 in student loans while working on their degree.

In addition to its great value ranking, BYU is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Sociology Schools list.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools list. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at American Military University are $7,360 a year. After completing their degree, sociology graduates from American Military University carry an average student debtload of $26,552.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, American Military University also is in the top 5% of our Best Sociology Schools ranking.

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$4,416 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Brigham Young University - Idaho is a great value for sociology students. BYU - I is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Rexburg.

BYU - I undergraduate students pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees each year. Sociology majors at BYU - I take out an average of $14,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

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$7,540 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central New Mexico Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools list. Located in the city of Albuquerque, CNM is a public college with a fairly large student population.

CNM undergraduate students pay an average of $7,540 in tuition and fees each year.

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#5

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Santa Rosa Junior College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools list. Located in the medium-sized city of Santa Rosa, SRJC is a public school with a large student population.

SRJC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,952 in tuition and fees each year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, SRJC also did well on our Best Sociology Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#6

Park University

Parkville, MO

Park University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools ranking. Park University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Park University are $8,853 a year.

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$7,495 Average Tuition & Fees

University of North Carolina at Pembroke ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools list. Located in the distant town of Pembroke, UNC Pembroke is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNC Pembroke are $7,495 per year. Sociology majors at UNC Pembroke take out an average of $27,962 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#8

Brandman University

Irvine, CA

Brandman University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value sociology programs. Brandman is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Brandman are $12,480 per year. While working on their degree, sociology majors at Brandman accumulate an average of around $23,334 in student debt.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Brandman also did well on our Best Sociology Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#9

Bellevue University

Bellevue, NE

With a ranking of #9, Bellevue University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for sociology students. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Bellevue University are $8,310 a year.

Bellevue University also claimed a spot on our Best Sociology Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

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#10

The Graduate Center, CUNY

New York, NY

The Graduate Center, CUNY landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value sociology programs. The Graduate Center is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of New York.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at The Graduate Center are $15,360 per year. On average, sociology graduates from The Graduate Center take out $21,780 in student loans while working on their degree.

In addition to its great value ranking, The Graduate Center is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Sociology Schools list.

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Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for sociology students. It came in at #11 on the list. ASU - Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ASU - Skysong are $13,092 per year. Sociology majors at ASU - Skysong take out an average of $26,301 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $322, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

In addition to its great value ranking, ASU - Skysong is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Sociology Schools list.

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With a ranking of #12, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for sociology students. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University is a public school with a large student population.

North Dakota State University undergraduate students pay an average of $14,876 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, sociology graduates from North Dakota State University carry an average student debtload of $31,000.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, North Dakota State University also is in the top 15% of our Best Sociology Schools ranking.

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South Dakota State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for sociology students. It came in at #13 on the list. South Dakota State is a large public school located in the remote town of Brookings.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at South Dakota State are $12,809 a year. On average, sociology graduates from South Dakota State take out $25,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

South Dakota State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Sociology Schools list.

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#14

Nicholls State University

Thibodaux, LA
$9,039 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, Nicholls State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for sociology students. Located in the small city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Nicholls State University are $9,039 a year. The average amount in student loans that sociology majors at Nicholls State University take out is $29,000.

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With a ranking of #16, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on this year’s best value schools for sociology students. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school located in the town of River Falls.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW - River Falls are $15,661 a year. While working on their degree, sociology majors at UW - River Falls accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

UW - River Falls also claimed a spot on our Best Sociology Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

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#16

National University

La Jolla, CA

National University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for sociology students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in the city of La Jolla, National University is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at National University are $13,320 a year. While working on their degree, sociology majors at National University accumulate an average of around $29,382 in student debt.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, National University also is in the top 15% of our Best Sociology Schools ranking.

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Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value sociology programs. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school located in the city of Mankato.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Minnesota State Mankato are $18,200 per year. Sociology majors at Minnesota State Mankato take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Minnesota State Mankato also is in the top 15% of our Best Sociology Schools ranking.

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$11,496 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools ranking. Located in the large suburb of Edwardsville, SIUE is a public school with a fairly large student population.

SIUE undergraduate students pay an average of $11,496 in tuition and fees each year. On average, sociology graduates from SIUE take out $29,494 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#20

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

With a ranking of #20, University of North Dakota did quite well on this year’s best value schools for sociology students. UND is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Grand Forks.

UND undergraduate students pay an average of $15,037 in tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UND also is in the top 15% of our Best Sociology Schools ranking.

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$7,344 Average Tuition & Fees

College of Western Idaho landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value sociology programs. CWI is a large public school located in the rural area of Nampa.

CWI undergraduate students pay an average of $7,344 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that sociology majors at CWI take out is $13,353.

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University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value sociology programs. Located in the distant town of Whitewater, UW - Whitewater is a public school with a large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW - Whitewater are $16,602 per year. The average amount in student loans that sociology majors at UW - Whitewater take out is $25,035.

UW - Whitewater excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Sociology Schools list.

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With a ranking of #23, Teachers College at Columbia University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for sociology students. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Teachers College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Sociology Schools list.

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#24

Columbia College

Columbia, MO

Columbia College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools ranking. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Columbia.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Columbia College Missouri are $11,636 a year. While working on their degree, sociology majors at Columbia College Missouri accumulate an average of around $43,270 in student debt.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Columbia College Missouri also is in the top 20% of our Best Sociology Schools ranking.

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Western Illinois University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools ranking. WIU is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Macomb.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WIU are $13,297 per year. Sociology majors at WIU take out an average of $38,132 in student loans while working on their egree.

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Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sociology Schools

#28

Winona State University

Winona, MN
#29

East Los Angeles College

Monterey Park, CA
#32

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL
#34

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, OK
#39

York College

Jamaica, NY
#39

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA
#44

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC
#45

Angelo State University

San Angelo, TX
#46

Valdosta State University

Valdosta, GA
#47

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Value Sociology Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 623 different United States sociology schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Truman State University Kirksville, MO
52 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
52 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI
54 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
55 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA
56 McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA
57 Wright State University - Lake Campus Celina, OH
58 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
59 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
60 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
60 Coppin State University Baltimore, MD
62 Hunter College New York, NY
62 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC
64 Barstow Community College Barstow, CA
65 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
65 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
67 Lehman College Bronx, NY
68 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA
69 University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD
70 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH
71 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
71 Troy University Troy, AL
73 Chicago State University Chicago, IL
74 Texas Woman’s University Denton, TX
74 John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY
74 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
77 Illinois State University Normal, IL
77 Colorado State University - Pueblo Pueblo, CO
79 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY
80 MSU Texas Wichita Falls, TX
81 The City College of New York New York, NY
82 University of Houston - Clear Lake Houston, TX
83 Antelope Valley College Lancaster, CA
84 Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Edinboro, PA
85 California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA
85 University of Wisconsin - Parkside Kenosha, WI
87 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
88 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
89 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
90 Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL
90 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
92 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
93 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
93 Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OH

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great value schools for Sociology students seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Sociology Schools award.

Rank College Location
95 Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA
95 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
97 Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA
98 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
99 Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN
99 Salisbury University Salisbury, MD
99 Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV
99 University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN
103 SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, NY
103 Iowa State University Ames, IA
105 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
106 California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CA
106 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
106 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA
109 Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, GA
109 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
111 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
111 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
113 Bowie State University Bowie, MD
113 Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH
115 Athens State University Athens, AL
115 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
117 Morgan State University Baltimore, MD
117 The College at Brockport Brockport, NY
119 Emporia State University Emporia, KS
119 Queens College Queens, NY
119 Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN
122 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
122 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
124 Delaware State University Dover, DE
124 Wichita State University Wichita, KS
124 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK

Sociology by Region

View the Best Value Sociology Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Sociology is one of 12 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Political Science & Government 49,282
Economics 49,055
General Social Sciences 18,997
International Relations & National Security 14,306
Anthropology 11,415

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Kontos.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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