2026 Best Value Sociology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools

#1

Texas Womans University

Denton, TX

For return on investment, no school beat Texas Womans University this year in the United States. Set in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical Sociology student debt is $33,719. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,544. Set against $33,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University has an acceptance rate of 96%. See the full Texas Womans University profile

#2

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC

Out of the 1161 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Appalachian State University landed the #2 spot. Located in Boone, NC, Appalachian State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. The median Sociology program debt is $20,606. Appalachian State University alumni report median earnings of $51,836 a decade after entry. Set against $20,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%. More on Appalachian State University

#3

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX

A rank of #3 makes Sam Houston State University one of the best values in the United States. Based in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,211 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%. Read the full report on Sam Houston State University

#4

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

Greensboro, NC

Out of the 1161 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Greensboro, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical Sociology student debt is $25,988. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,160. That is a strong return on a $25,988 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

#5

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI

A rank of #5 makes Oakland University one of the best values in the United States. Set in Rochester Hills, MI, Oakland University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. The median Sociology program debt is $20,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,612 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. See the full Oakland University profile

#6

The University Of Texas At Arlington

Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #6 among the best-value Sociology schools in the United States. Located in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. The median Sociology program debt is $30,941. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,199. That is a strong return on a $30,941 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%. Get the full The University Of Texas At Arlington report

#7

Columbia University In The City Of New York

New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #7 among the best-value Sociology schools in the United States. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Columbia University In The City Of New York Sociology students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,491. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York

#8

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Murfreesboro, TN, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $23,766 to complete their Sociology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,541 ten years after entry. Set against $23,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University has an acceptance rate of 69%. Read more about Middle Tennessee State University

#9

University Of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lexington, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. The median Sociology program debt is $26,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,025 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Kentucky

#10

Alice Lloyd College

Alice Lloyd College placed #10 among the best-value Sociology schools in the United States. More on Alice Lloyd College

#11

California State University East Bay

California State University East Bay offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. See the full California State University East Bay profile

#12

College Of The Ozarks

College Of The Ozarks came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. More on College Of The Ozarks

#13

Mclennan Community College

Mclennan Community College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Mclennan Community College

#14

Northeastern University

Northeastern University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Read more about Northeastern University

#15

Fullerton College

Fullerton College placed #15 among the best-value Sociology schools in the United States. See the full Fullerton College profile

#16

Newman University

Newman University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. See the full Newman University profile

#17

Oregon State University

Oregon State University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Oregon State University

#18

Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. More on Saginaw Valley State University

#19

Saint Marys College Of California

Saint Marys College Of California landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Saint Marys College Of California report

#20

Salve Regina University

Salve Regina University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology schools. More on Salve Regina University

#21

University Of Louisville

University Of Louisville offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. More on University Of Louisville

#22

Butte College

Butte College placed #22 among the best-value Sociology schools in the United States. More on Butte College

#23

College Of Marin

College Of Marin ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology schools. Read the full report on College Of Marin

#24

Cuny Queens College

Cuny Queens College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology schools. Read the full report on Cuny Queens College

#25

Hartwick College

Hartwick College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Hartwick College

#26

Marymount Manhattan College

Marymount Manhattan College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology schools. Read more about Marymount Manhattan College

#27

Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. More on Norfolk State University

#28

Ohio University Zanesville Campus

Ohio University Zanesville Campus landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Ohio University Zanesville Campus

#29

Saint Marys College

Saint Marys College placed #29 among the best-value Sociology schools in the United States. More on Saint Marys College

#30

University Of Hawaii At Hilo

University Of Hawaii At Hilo came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Hawaii At Hilo

#31

Virginia State University

Virginia State University placed #31 among the best-value Sociology schools in the United States. Read more about Virginia State University

#32

West Texas A And M University

West Texas A And M University landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full West Texas A And M University profile

#33

Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Bemidji State University report

#34

Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences

Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences

#35

Huntington University

Huntington University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read the full report on Huntington University

#36

Missouri Valley College

Missouri Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read the full report on Missouri Valley College

#37

Roanoke College

Roanoke College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. More on Roanoke College

#38

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Swarthmore College profile

#39

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs

#40

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #40 among the best-value Sociology schools in the United States. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

#41

University Of Southern California

University Of Southern California came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Southern California profile

#42

University Of Southern Maine

University Of Southern Maine ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology schools. Get the full University Of Southern Maine report

#43

Cuny York College

Cuny York College offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. More on Cuny York College

#44

Fresno City College

Fresno City College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. See the full Fresno City College profile

#45

Georgetown University

Georgetown University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sociology schools. Read more about Georgetown University

#46

Indiana University Northwest

Indiana University Northwest came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Indiana University Northwest

#47

Indiana University Southeast

Indiana University Southeast offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. More on Indiana University Southeast

#48

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #48 among the best-value Sociology schools in the United States. More on Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

#49

North Carolina State University At Raleigh

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh

#50

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific University landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Seattle Pacific University