Cheapest Sociology Colleges in Wisconsin

Sociology programs in Wisconsin show remarkable cost variation, with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside offering the lowest net cost at $10,044 while private institutions like Beloit College reach $21,924. The state's public university system dominates affordable options, with eight of the ten cheapest programs coming from UW campuses. Wisconsin's strong healthcare and social services sectors provide natural career paths for sociology graduates, particularly with major employers like Epic Systems and healthcare networks throughout the state. Earnings for sociology graduates range from $24,035 to $36,591, with UW-Whitewater producing the highest-earning graduates despite maintaining a net cost under $15,000. The state's manufacturing heritage and agricultural communities create unique research opportunities for sociology students studying labor relations, rural communities, and industrial transitions. Wisconsin Grant funding helps in-state students access these affordable programs, making quality sociology education accessible across economic backgrounds.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UW-Parkside the most affordable sociology option in Wisconsin?

UW-Parkside offers the lowest net cost at $10,044 with an in-state tuition of just $7,855. The school maintains a 72.83% acceptance rate while producing graduates who earn $33,565 annually. Despite having a 39.80% graduation rate, the combination of low costs and solid earnings makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious students.

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

Public universities dominate the affordable options, with net costs ranging from $10,044 to $16,948 across UW system schools. Private institutions start at $16,722 for Alverno College but quickly jump to over $20,000 for schools like Northland College ($20,780) and Beloit College ($21,924). The cost gap between public and private options can exceed $10,000 annually.

Does UW-Madison offer good value despite higher costs among public options?

UW-Madison costs $16,928 net but delivers strong outcomes with an 89.30% graduation rate, the highest among Wisconsin sociology programs. Graduates earn $35,635 annually while carrying relatively low debt at $17,212. The school's 49.06% acceptance rate reflects its selectivity, but the investment pays off in career outcomes.

Where do Wisconsin sociology graduates find the best earning potential?

UW-Whitewater produces the highest-earning sociology graduates at $36,591 annually, despite maintaining a net cost of only $14,785. UW-River Falls follows closely with earnings of $34,526 and a strong 60.90% graduation rate. These earnings reflect Wisconsin's strong healthcare, social services, and corporate sectors that value sociology skills.

Is there a connection between program cost and graduation rates in Wisconsin?

Higher-cost programs generally show better graduation rates, with UW-Madison leading at 89.30% despite its $16,928 net cost. However, UW-La Crosse achieves a 71.20% graduation rate at just $15,374, proving affordable options can deliver strong outcomes. The lowest-cost option, UW-Parkside, has a 39.80% graduation rate but compensates with very low financial risk.

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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.