Best value colleges for Sociology in Tennessee.2026 Rankings
Choosing the right Sociology program in Tennessee means weighing more than just name recognition. We analyzed 22 colleges across the state, scoring each on the metrics that matter most to long-term career success: graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, net cost, and academic rigor.
The data tells an interesting story: Vanderbilt University leads on selectivity (6% acceptance rate), but selectivity is only one dimension of quality. Across Tennessee's Sociology programs, the typical in-state price is $23,217 and the average graduation rate is 52%. Graduates of these programs earn a median of $33,970 within one year of completing their degree.
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ranked by value score
| # | College | Value Score | Admit Rate | Grad Rate | Net Price | Median Earnings | Student:Faculty | Majors Offered | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | Elite· 51 | 6% | 93% | $6,211 | $68,884 | 7:1 | 51 | 7,143 |
| 2 | Union UniversityPrivate | Great· 38 | 47% | 71% | $25,531 | $53,098 | 8:1 | 60 | 1,637 |
| 3 | Le Moyne-Owen CollegePrivate | Strong· 36 | 97% | 25% | $9,198 | — | 9:1 | 25 | 571 |
| 4 | Lee UniversityPrivate | Strong· 36 | 72% | 61% | $16,890 | $25,127 | 12:1 | 58 | 2,712 |
| 5 | Strong· 36 | 59% | 44% | $14,610 | $41,284 | 12:1 | 39 | 832 | |
| 6 | Strong· 36 | 46% | 74% | $18,820 | $35,723 | 18:1 | 99 | 28,763 | |
| 7 | Milligan UniversityPrivate | Strong· 35 | 70% | 60% | $20,830 | $39,739 | 9:1 | 36 | 783 |
| 8 | Maryville CollegePrivate | Strong· 34 | 66% | 47% | $19,434 | $32,423 | 12:1 | 46 | 1,028 |
| 9 | Strong· 34 | 68% | 54% | $12,840 | $38,819 | 17:1 | 72 | 16,115 | |
| 10 | Carson-Newman UniversityPrivate | Good· 33 | 68% | 46% | $17,326 | $42,215 | 12:1 | 64 | 1,374 |
| 11 | Good· 33 | 93% | 33% | $11,079 | $34,884 | 13:1 | 34 | 6,498 | |
| 12 | Good· 33 | 83% | 54% | $14,405 | $35,293 | 16:1 | 41 | 8,495 | |
| 13 | Belmont UniversityPrivate | Good· 32 | 96% | 72% | $27,345 | $37,296 | 12:1 | 65 | 7,306 |
| 14 | Fisk UniversityPrivate | Good· 32 | 58% | 44% | $27,075 | $28,698 | 11:1 | 20 | 950 |
| 15 | Good· 32 | 87% | 55% | $12,457 | $38,328 | 15:1 | 39 | 4,600 | |
| 16 | Good· 31 | 96% | 45% | $16,365 | $31,699 | 15:1 | 40 | 7,365 | |
| 17 | Trevecca Nazarene UniversityPrivate | Good· 31 | 70% | 55% | $12,303 | $43,262 | 22:1 | 51 | 1,697 |
| 18 | Good· 30 | 67% | 51% | $23,907 | $45,366 | 16:1 | 83 | 2,673 | |
| 19 | University of MemphisPublic | Good· 30 | 93% | 49% | $15,357 | $34,822 | 17:1 | 50 | 13,645 |
| 20 | Average· 29 | 87% | 50% | $16,944 | $24,468 | 18:1 | 51 | 9,807 | |
| 21 | Bethel UniversityPrivate | Average· 27 | 97% | 35% | $21,838 | $48,196 | 17:1 | 36 | 1,671 |
| 22 | Lane CollegePrivate | Weak· 18 | — | 17% | $23,608 | $23,591 | 17:1 | 16 | 822 |