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Sociology Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

CUNY York College graduates earn $38,289 annually, the highest among affordable sociology programs nationwide, despite having just a 30.3% graduation rate. This stark contrast highlights the uneven market of budget sociology education, where net costs range from $1,113 at Texas A&M University-Central Texas to $4,734 at York College. The concentration of affordable options in New York reflects the city's role as a major center for social services, nonprofit organizations, and policy research that actively recruit sociology graduates. California State Universities also feature prominently with solid mid-range earnings around $30,000-$32,000, while Texas schools offer the lowest entry costs but more variable career outcomes. Community organizing, social work agencies, and local government positions across these regions provide entry-level opportunities for new graduates, though earnings potential varies significantly by location and specialization within the field.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $8,376
Net Price Range
$31,138
Avg. Program Earnings
45.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Sociology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
2 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
3 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
4 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
5 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
6 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
7 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
8 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
9 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
10 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
11 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
12 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
13 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
14 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
15 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
16 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
17 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
18 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
19 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
20 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
21 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
22 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
23 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
24 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
25 $6,007 $7,001 25.6% 45.0%
26 $6,061 $3,195 29.1% 67.0%
27 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
28 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
29 $6,276 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
30 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
31 $6,352 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
32 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
33 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
34 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
35 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
36 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
37 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
38 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
39 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
40 $7,349 $14,776 16.0% 45.1%
41 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
42 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
43 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
44 $7,912 $7,868 34.9%
45 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
46 $8,130 $7,327 33.2% 88.9%
47 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
48 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
49 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
50 $8,376 $9,590 43.8% 93.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide earnings gap between affordable sociology programs?

CUNY York College leads with $38,289 average earnings while Texas A&M International trails at $26,585, a $11,704 difference. Location drives much of this variation, as New York and California markets typically offer higher starting salaries for social services roles. Program quality and alumni networks also influence outcomes, with schools like CUNY Hunter achieving both strong earnings ($34,633) and reasonable graduation rates (61%).

How do graduation rates compare across these budget-friendly programs?

University of Florida Online leads with 77.7% of students completing their degrees, while Ohio University Eastern manages just 20%. CUNY schools show mixed results, ranging from Baruch's solid 72.1% down to York's concerning 30.3%. Texas schools fall in the middle range, with Central Texas data unavailable but International showing 48.9% completion rates.

Is Berea College worth the higher sticker price for sociology students?

Berea's $49,326 published tuition drops to just $4,483 net cost due to substantial financial aid, making it competitive with public options. The private college maintains a 62% graduation rate and highly selective 24.58% acceptance rate. However, earnings data remains unavailable, making cost-benefit analysis challenging compared to CUNY schools with proven salary outcomes.

Does student debt burden vary significantly among these affordable programs?

Debt loads range from $10,199 at CUNY City College to $24,500 at Ohio University Eastern. Most CUNY schools keep debt under $12,400, while California State campuses average around $13,500-$14,900. Texas A&M International graduates carry $15,586 in debt, still reasonable given the field's typical starting salaries and public service loan forgiveness options.

Where do these programs offer the best acceptance rates for transfer students?

Texas A&M Central Texas accepts 95.71% of applicants, making it extremely accessible for students changing schools or returning to education. California State Dominguez Hills (89.13%) and Los Angeles (86.94%) also welcome most applicants. CUNY schools are more selective, with Hunter College accepting 47.86% and Baruch at 49.53%, reflecting their strong reputations and urban location advantages.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.