Best Value Sociology Colleges in Indiana

Indiana University-Kokomo delivers sociology education at an unmatched $6,276 net cost while graduates earn $37,208 annually, creating the most favorable return on investment in the state. This stark contrast against private options like Saint Mary's College at $28,552 highlights how public institutions dominate Indiana's value market for sociology students. The 20 programs span from $6,276 to $28,552, with earnings ranging from $29,685 to $39,729 annually. Indiana's strong healthcare sector, anchored by employers like Indiana University Health and Eli Lilly, creates natural pathways for sociology graduates specializing in medical sociology, community health, and organizational behavior. Regional manufacturing giants like Cummins also seek sociology expertise for workforce development and community relations roles. The state's 21st Century Scholars program adds another layer of affordability, covering full tuition for qualifying students at public institutions.

Programs

$5,970 – $38,472

Net Price Range

$34,521

Avg. Program Earnings

59.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

31 Sociology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo, Indiana	$6,276	$37,208	$8,179	44.7%	85.8%
2	Purdue University Northwest Hammond, Indiana	$8,463	$30,554	$8,419	44.0%	72.8%
3	Indiana University-Southeast New Albany, Indiana	$8,257	$29,685	$8,179	33.4%	85.2%
4	Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$11,408	$33,993	$10,449	53.9%	82.9%
5	University of Southern Indiana Evansville, Indiana	$12,621	$32,711	$10,136	52.0%	94.4%
6	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$36,070	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
7	Ball State University Muncie, Indiana	$15,898	$33,565	$10,758	63.3%	69.0%
8	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana	$15,342	$30,891	$11,790	81.2%	82.4%
9	Hanover College Hanover, Indiana	$21,826	$39,729	$42,894	63.6%	74.1%
10	DePauw University Greencastle, Indiana	$24,546	$36,312	$57,070	80.0%	65.8%
11	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana	$27,823	$39,009	$62,693	96.8%	12.9%
12	Indiana University-South Bend South Bend, Indiana	$8,364		$8,179	35.7%	86.9%
13	University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$20,361		$35,420	60.7%	98.1%
14	Martin University Indianapolis, Indiana	$13,879		$12,830	33.3%
15	Saint Mary's College Notre Dame, Indiana	$28,552		$51,430	76.5%	83.9%
16	Taylor University Upland, Indiana	$24,327		$39,104	76.6%	74.6%
17	Marian University Indianapolis, Indiana	$23,594		$39,100	60.9%	93.8%
18	Valparaiso University Valparaiso, Indiana	$21,583		$46,588	67.0%	94.2%
19	Manchester University North Manchester, Indiana	$19,268		$37,090	44.8%	66.4%
20	Anderson University Anderson, Indiana	$22,144		$35,640	49.4%	51.8%
21	Indiana University-East Richmond, Indiana	$9,082		$8,179	45.4%	77.6%
22	Indiana University-Northwest Gary, Indiana	$5,970		$8,179	36.9%	80.3%
23	Bethel University Mishawaka, Indiana	$19,726		$33,320	57.2%	99.5%
24	University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$18,748		$36,136	55.8%	76.1%
25	Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$11,513		$9,254	32.5%	80.7%
26	Huntington University Huntington, Indiana	$13,710		$29,982	68.2%	77.5%
27	Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, Indiana	$18,406		$30,034	69.9%	84.6%
28	Goshen College Goshen, Indiana	$15,725		$37,760	60.5%	93.5%
29	Franklin College Franklin, Indiana	$22,762		$37,350	63.4%	92.9%
30	University of Evansville Evansville, Indiana	$20,230		$42,676	71.3%	76.3%
31	Butler University Indianapolis, Indiana	$38,472		$45,980	80.2%	82.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Indiana University-Kokomo the top value for sociology?

IU-Kokomo combines the lowest net cost at $6,276 with strong graduate earnings of $37,208, creating an strong return on investment. The 85.75% acceptance rate makes admission accessible, while the university maintains solid academic standards. Students benefit from IU system resources while paying regional campus rates.

How do public and private sociology program costs compare in Indiana?

Public institutions range from $6,276 to $15,342 in net costs, while private colleges span $13,879 to $28,552. The gap widens dramatically when examining sticker prices, with private schools like DePauw charging $57,070 compared to Purdue's $9,992 in-state tuition. Public options clearly dominate the value equation for most students.

Does Notre Dame justify its $27,823 net cost for sociology?

Notre Dame's 96.80% graduation rate and $39,009 average earnings represent the highest outcomes in the state. However, the 12.91% acceptance rate makes admission extremely competitive. Students must weigh the premium cost against the network benefits and academic reputation that come with a Notre Dame degree.

What career opportunities exist for sociology graduates in Indiana?

Indiana's healthcare sector, led by IU Health and major pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly, actively recruits sociology graduates for community outreach and patient advocacy roles. Manufacturing employers such as Cummins value sociological training for human resources and community relations positions. The state's social services sector also provides steady employment opportunities.

Which Indiana sociology programs offer the best graduation rates?

Notre Dame leads with an strong 96.80% graduation rate, followed by Purdue University at 83.10% and IU-Bloomington at 81.20%. These three institutions demonstrate strong student support systems and academic rigor. The graduation rates correlate with selectivity, as more competitive programs tend to retain students at higher rates.

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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.