Skip to main content

Best Value Sociology Colleges in Virginia

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Virginia's sociology programs show a striking $22,318 earnings gap between top and bottom performers, with George Mason University leading at $36,488 annually while Radford trails at $26,353. This variation reflects Virginia's unique position near Washington D.C., where sociology graduates find opportunities in federal agencies, defense contractors like Northrop Grumman, and health systems such as Inova Health that value social research skills. Old Dominion University delivers strong value with a net price of just $14,170 and respectable $31,133 earnings, making it more affordable than many community colleges. The state's VTAG grant helps bridge costs at private institutions, though public universities dominate the value equation. William & Mary stands out with a 91% graduation rate and $36,134 earnings despite higher costs, while the University of Virginia commands respect with 95.3% graduation rates and selective 18.66% acceptance.
31
Programs
$11,180 – $33,417
Net Price Range
$31,306
Avg. Program Earnings
60.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

31 Sociology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,170 $31,133 $12,262 44.4% 95.1%
2 $18,287 $36,488 $13,815 69.3% 90.0%
3 $17,833 $34,420 $33,157 55.7%
4 $19,452 $32,569 $16,458 65.4% 91.0%
5 $20,173 $32,467 $41,350 49.4% 90.4%
6 $22,529 $36,134 $25,040 91.0% 33.5%
7 $21,108 $33,687 $14,559 67.4% 85.8%
8 $16,640 $26,353 $12,286 49.6% 93.3%
9 $22,881 $35,213 $20,986 95.3% 18.7%
10 $21,816 $33,281 $13,576 80.9% 78.3%
11 $22,197 $33,687 $16,351 75.1% 85.4%
12 $20,591 $29,685 $35,280 53.8% 96.9%
13 $23,790 $33,993 $15,478 86.3% 57.0%
14 $20,814 $27,681 $15,200 61.6% 87.8%
15 $27,759 $35,861 $48,002 74.6% 85.5%
16 $20,583 $21,508 $36,960 49.1% 81.4%
17 $27,786 $25,658 $36,774 65.9% 79.8%
18 $33,417 $23,693 $62,600 87.8% 24.4%
19 $12,973 $9,910 32.7% 89.5%
20 $25,153 $39,050 57.9% 81.4%
21 $20,187 $35,540 61.6% 95.9%
22 $18,436 $29,010 51.5% 95.0%
23 $30,055 $36,028 70.5% 80.4%
24 $23,383 $25,110 48.1% 75.8%
25 $11,180 $11,656 49.8% 75.6%
26 $22,263 $42,260 69.7% 72.4%
27 $32,145 $29,162 55.7% 74.5%
28 $23,615 $41,860 47.1% 99.5%
29 $18,184 $9,248 26.1%
30 $14,553 $9,755 40.7% 89.7%
31 $23,262 $38,550 43.6% 76.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Old Dominion University such good value for sociology majors?

Old Dominion combines the lowest net price at $14,170 with solid $31,133 average earnings, creating excellent return on investment. The Norfolk location provides access to military families and urban communities that need social services. With a 95.14% acceptance rate, students have strong admission chances while still earning more than the state median for sociology graduates.

How do Virginia's public universities compare to private colleges for sociology value?

Public universities dominate the value rankings, with George Mason, Old Dominion, and VCU filling the top spots. Private colleges like Mary Baldwin and Bridgewater charge $33,000-$41,000 in tuition but often deliver similar earnings to public schools costing half as much. The VTAG grant helps private college students, but rarely enough to close the substantial cost gap.

Does proximity to Washington D.C. boost Virginia sociology graduates' earning potential?

Northern Virginia schools like George Mason show the highest earnings at $36,488, benefiting from federal government and defense contractor demand for social research skills. Schools closer to D.C. consistently outperform rural institutions in graduate earnings. The region's concentration of nonprofits, think tanks, and government agencies creates more high-paying opportunities for sociology majors.

What explains the wide graduation rate spread among Virginia sociology programs?

Graduation rates range from 44.40% at Old Dominion to 95.30% at UVA, largely reflecting admission selectivity and student preparation levels. Schools with acceptance rates above 90% like Old Dominion and Radford struggle with retention compared to selective institutions. However, some accessible schools like James Madison achieve 80.90% graduation rates, proving that high acceptance doesn't always mean low completion.

Is William & Mary worth the higher cost for sociology students?

William & Mary's $22,529 net price produces $36,134 earnings and an strong 91% graduation rate, justifying the premium over cheaper alternatives. The school's academic reputation opens doors to competitive graduate programs and professional opportunities. With only $14,000 average debt, graduates avoid the heavy loan burdens that plague many private college attendees.

More Sociology Rankings

Cheapest Sociology in Virginia Sociology Under $20,000 in Virginia

Related

All Sociology Programs Best Colleges in Virginia Best Sociology in Virginia

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