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2024 Best Sociology Schools

561 Colleges in the United States
35,816 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$31,418 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in sociology, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #25 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 561 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for sociology students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 35,816 degrees in sociology during the 2021-2022 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Sociology School

Best Sociology Schools The sociology program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Sociology rankings. We derive our Best Overall Sociology School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Sociology Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Sociology
Bachelor's Degrees in Sociology
Master's Degrees in Sociology
Doctor's Degrees in Sociology

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Sociology Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Sociology in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Sociology

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
33 Sociology Degrees Awarded
30.3% Growth in Graduates

It's difficult to beat Teachers College at Columbia University if you want to pursue a degree in sociology. Teachers College is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #12 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Teachers College is a great university overall.

There were about 33 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College in the most recent data year. Those sociology students who get their degree from Teachers College at Columbia University earn $31,871 more than the average sociology student.

More information about a degree in sociology from Teachers College at Columbia University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
43 Sociology Degrees Awarded
14.0% Growth in Graduates

University of Pennsylvania is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in sociology. UPenn is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were roughly 43 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available. Those sociology students who get their degree from University of Pennsylvania make $12,250 more than the average sociology student.

More information about a degree in sociology from University of Pennsylvania

3
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In CT
40 Sociology Degrees Awarded

Every student pursuing a degree in sociology has to check out Yale University. Yale is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New Haven. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Yale is a great university overall.

There were about 40 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sociology from Yale University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
86th Most Popular In CA
55 Sociology Degrees Awarded

Any student pursuing a degree in sociology needs to take a look at Stanford University. Located in the large suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were about 55 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sociology from Stanford University

5
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In TX
40 Sociology Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Rice is a great university overall.

There were about 40 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sociology from Rice University

6
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
50 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$60,357 Median Starting Salary

Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Durham. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were approximately 50 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available. Sociology degree recipients from Duke University earn a boost of around $28,939 above the average earnings of sociology graduates.

More information about a degree in sociology from Duke University

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
94 Sociology Degrees Awarded
16.0% Growth in Graduates

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 94 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year. Those sociology students who get their degree from Columbia University in the City of New York earn $21,956 more than the standard sociology student.

More information about a degree in sociology from Columbia University in the City of New York

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
64 Sociology Degrees Awarded
23.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #10 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Princeton is a great university overall.

There were about 64 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Princeton in the most recent year we have data available. Sociology degree recipients from Princeton University earn a boost of around $13,483 over the typical income of sociology majors.

More information about a degree in sociology from Princeton University

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In IL
67 Sociology Degrees Awarded

UChicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were roughly 67 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sociology from University of Chicago

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Sociology Degrees Awarded
8.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 48 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available. Those sociology students who get their degree from Northwestern University earn $9,716 more than the typical sociology student.

More information about a degree in sociology from Northwestern University

11
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
65 Sociology Degrees Awarded
3.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were about 65 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the sociology major at Harvard University earn $26,859 above the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in sociology from Harvard University

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
300 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$62,553 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 300 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Those sociology students who get their degree from University of California - Berkeley earn $31,135 more than the standard sociology grad.

More information about a degree in sociology from University of California - Berkeley

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TN
48 Sociology Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 45 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were approximately 48 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sociology from Vanderbilt University

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
713 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$32,675 Median Starting Salary

UCLA is a very large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. This university ranks 5th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 713 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, sociology degree recipients usually make around $32,675 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in sociology from University of California - Los Angeles

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In IN
54 Sociology Degrees Awarded

Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame. This university ranks 1st out of 42 colleges for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were about 54 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sociology from University of Notre Dame

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
61 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$37,102 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 61 sociology students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the sociology program at University of Southern California get $5,684 more than the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in sociology from University of Southern California

17
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
31 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$49,859 Median Starting Salary

Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. This college ranks 1st out of 17 schools for overall quality in the state of New Hampshire.

There were approximately 31 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent data year. Sociology degree recipients from Dartmouth College earn a boost of around $18,441 over the average earnings of sociology majors.

More information about a degree in sociology from Dartmouth College

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
253 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$35,950 Median Starting Salary

UW Seattle is a fairly large public university located in the city of Seattle. This university ranks 1st out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were roughly 253 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available. Sociology degree recipients from University of Washington - Seattle Campus earn a boost of about $4,532 above the average income of sociology majors.

More information about a degree in sociology from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
119 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$37,772 Median Starting Salary

UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Madison. This university ranks 1st out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were about 119 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Those sociology students who get their degree from University of Wisconsin - Madison earn $6,354 more than the average sociology graduate.

More information about a degree in sociology from University of Wisconsin - Madison

20
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MO

WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis. This university ranks 1st out of 48 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.

There were roughly 23 sociology students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sociology from Washington University in St Louis

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In MD

Located in the large city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 36 colleges for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were approximately 27 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sociology from Johns Hopkins University

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
89 Sociology Degrees Awarded
12.4% Growth in Graduates

NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. This university ranks 4th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 89 sociology students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the sociology major at New York University earn $10,648 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in sociology from New York University

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
76 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$32,205 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 76 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year. After graduating, sociology degree recipients generally make around $32,205 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in sociology from Cornell University

24
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
55 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$30,166 Median Starting Salary

Emory is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Atlanta. This university ranks 2nd out of 68 colleges for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 55 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. After graduation, sociology degree recipients usually earn an average of $30,166 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in sociology from Emory University

25
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
215 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$35,639 Median Starting Salary

Virginia Tech is a very large public school located in the small city of Blacksburg. This school ranks 2nd out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were roughly 215 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent data year. Sociology degree recipients from Virginia Tech get an earnings boost of about $4,221 above the typical earnings of sociology majors.

More information about a degree in sociology from Virginia Tech

Rest of the Top 50 Best Sociology Schools

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27
28
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
29
30
31
32

33

34
35
36
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
37
38
39
40
41

42

43
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
44
45
46
47
Williams crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA
47
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
48
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY
49

Additional Award Winners

This section represents the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Sociology Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 561 different United States sociology schools we analyzed.

RankCollegeLocation
50Amherst CollegeAmherst, MA
51The Graduate Center, CUNYNew York, NY
51Pomona CollegeClaremont, CA
52University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT
53Tufts UniversityMedford, MA
54Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH
55University of GeorgiaAthens, GA
56San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA
57University of California - Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA
58Boston UniversityBoston, MA
59Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC
60DePauw UniversityGreencastle, IN
61Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA
62University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT
63University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA
64The University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN
65University of California - RiversideRiverside, CA
66University of Oklahoma Norman CampusNorman, OK
67Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
68Wellesley CollegeWellesley, MA
69University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL
70Bowdoin CollegeBrunswick, ME
71San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA
72George Washington UniversityWashington, DC
73Colorado State University - Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO
74University of IowaIowa City, IA
75University of DelawareNewark, DE
76Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA
77William & MaryWilliamsburg, VA
78California State University - East BayHayward, CA
79Barnard CollegeNew York, NY
80Fordham UniversityBronx, NY
81Indiana University - BloomingtonBloomington, IN
82Bucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA
83Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA
84Arizona State University - TempeTempe, AZ

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Sociology Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
85Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA
86University of Missouri - ColumbiaColumbia, MO
87California Polytechnic State University - San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA
88Grinnell CollegeGrinnell, IA
89Providence CollegeProvidence, RI
89University of OregonEugene, OR
91Hunter CollegeNew York, NY
92University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
93Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury, VT
94California State University - Long BeachLong Beach, CA
95Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY
96Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA
97Hamilton CollegeClinton, NY
98University of ArizonaTucson, AZ
99Trinity CollegeHartford, CT
100Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie, NY
101Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth, TX
102University of Nebraska - LincolnLincoln, NE
103Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA
104North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC
105University of Nevada - Las VegasLas Vegas, NV
106California State University - SacramentoSacramento, CA
107California State University - FullertonFullerton, CA
108American UniversityWashington, DC
109University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND
110University of KansasLawrence, KS
111North Dakota State University - Main CampusFargo, ND
112Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY

Sociology by Region

View the Best Sociology Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Sociology is one of 13 different types of Social Sciences programs to choose from.

Sociology Focus Areas

MajorAnnual Graduates
Sociology35,696
Applied/Public Sociology77
Rural Sociology43

View All Sociology Focus Areas >

Majors Similar to Sociology

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Economics47,809
Political Science & Government47,686
General Social Sciences17,338
International Relations & National Security13,958
Anthropology11,105
Geography & Cartography8,281
Other Social Sciences2,116
Urban Studies1,453
Sociology & Anthropology520
Archeology333

View All Sociology Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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