Best Value Sociology Colleges in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Parkside delivers sociology graduates at the lowest net cost in Wisconsin at $10,044, yet earns those students $33,565 annually after graduation. This creates an unusual value equation where the most affordable option produces earnings that rank fourth among all programs. Wisconsin's healthcare and social services sectors actively recruit sociology graduates, with Epic Systems and major health systems like Froedtert Health creating pathways for graduates skilled in research methodology and human behavior analysis. The earnings spread across Wisconsin sociology programs spans $12,556, from Beloit College's $24,035 to UW-Whitewater's $36,591. Public universities dominate the value market, with eight of the top ten most affordable options coming from the UW system. Private colleges like Marquette University charge net costs reaching $29,237 but struggle to justify the premium through significantly higher graduate earnings. The data reveals that Wisconsin sociology students can access quality education without the debt burdens common in other states, particularly when considering in-state tuition rates that start at $7,855.

Programs

$10,044 – $29,237

Net Price Range

$31,643

Avg. Program Earnings

61.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Sociology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha, Wisconsin	$10,044	$33,565	$7,855	39.8%	72.8%
2	University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, Wisconsin	$14,785	$36,591	$8,250	64.3%	82.4%
3	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, Wisconsin	$13,726	$32,213	$8,834	56.0%	89.1%
4	University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, Wisconsin	$14,714	$34,526	$8,606	60.9%	84.5%
5	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$16,928	$35,635	$11,205	89.3%	49.1%
6	University of Wisconsin-Superior Superior, Wisconsin	$13,405	$26,896	$8,487	44.1%	95.6%
7	Alverno College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,722	$32,029	$32,794	50.5%	89.9%
8	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,177	$30,554	$10,020	51.2%	86.3%
9	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, Wisconsin	$16,948	$30,554	$9,277	67.6%	76.6%
10	University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, Wisconsin	$15,374	$27,181	$9,651	71.2%	74.3%
11	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813	$36,134	$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
12	Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$29,237	$34,847	$48,700	80.1%	87.2%
13	Saint Norbert College De Pere, Wisconsin	$25,674	$28,236	$44,432	73.6%	83.6%
14	Beloit College Beloit, Wisconsin	$21,924	$24,035	$58,554	67.2%	65.9%
15	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, Wisconsin	$14,761		$8,212	57.9%	88.5%
16	Viterbo University La Crosse, Wisconsin	$22,633		$32,350	65.2%	72.4%
17	Ripon College Ripon, Wisconsin	$21,176		$50,700	59.9%	81.3%
18	Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin	$20,780		$42,491	43.3%	68.4%
19	Lakeland University Plymouth, Wisconsin	$22,092		$32,286	55.7%	99.5%
20	Edgewood College Madison, Wisconsin	$25,634		$34,850	67.4%	98.6%
21	Carroll University Waukesha, Wisconsin	$24,362		$37,230	69.6%	72.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UW-Parkside such strong value for sociology students?

UW-Parkside combines the lowest net cost in Wisconsin at $10,044 with solid earnings of $33,565 for sociology graduates. Students graduate with just $18,500 in debt while achieving a 39.8% graduation rate. The campus serves the Kenosha area, providing internship access to Chicago-area social service agencies and nonprofit organizations just 90 minutes south.

How do graduation rates compare across Wisconsin sociology programs?

UW-Madison leads with an 89.3% graduation rate, followed by UW-La Crosse at 71.2% and Saint Norbert College at 73.6%. The system average sits around 60%, with some schools like UW-Parkside showing lower completion rates at 39.8%. Higher graduation rates generally correlate with more selective admissions, as UW-Madison accepts only 49.06% of applicants compared to 95.6% at UW-Superior.

Is the earnings difference between public and private schools significant?

The highest-earning program actually comes from public UW-Whitewater at $36,591, beating most private options. Carthage College produces similar earnings at $36,134 but costs $14,000 more annually. Beloit College charges $21,924 net cost but generates the lowest earnings at $24,035, creating poor return on investment for sociology students.

Does geographic location within Wisconsin affect sociology career prospects?

Milwaukee and Madison areas offer the strongest job markets for sociology graduates, with UW-Milwaukee and Marquette University providing direct access to healthcare systems, social services, and research organizations. UW-Madison connects students to state government positions and policy research roles. Rural campuses like UW-River Falls and UW-Superior serve regional needs but may limit initial career options to local social service agencies.

What debt levels should Wisconsin sociology students expect?

Debt varies dramatically from UW-Madison's $17,212 to Beloit College's $27,000 average. Most UW system schools keep debt below $25,000, while private colleges often exceed this threshold. UW-Whitewater graduates carry $25,000 in debt but earn $36,591, creating manageable debt-to-income ratios. Students should factor the Wisconsin Grant program, which can reduce costs at public institutions.

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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.