2025 Best Sociology Schools
483
Colleges in the United States
35,816
Sociology Degrees Awarded
$34,762
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 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 483 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 annually.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Sociology School
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
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 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
25 Top Schools in Sociology
It is hard to beat University of California - Los Angeles if you want to pursue a degree in sociology. UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. This university ranks 4th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 713 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the sociology program state that they receive average early career wages of $34,121.
More information about a degree in sociology from University of California - Los Angeles
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
86th
Most Popular In CA
55
Sociology Degrees Awarded
Every student who is interested in sociology needs to take a look at Stanford University. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #10 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.
There were approximately 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
Bachelors
Degree Type
BA in Sociology
Program Name
Learn to analyze social factors and become an advocate for individual and community health with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in BA in Sociology from Southern New Hampshire University
University of California - Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in sociology. Located in the midsize city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.
There were roughly 300 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Sociology degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley receive an earnings boost of approximately $6,012 above the average earnings of sociology graduates.
More information about a degree in sociology from University of California - Berkeley
It's difficult to beat Columbia University in the City of New York if you want to pursue a degree in sociology. Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,152 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. Degree recipients from the sociology program at Columbia University in the City of New York make $23,779 more than the typical college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in sociology from Columbia University in the City of New York
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
5th
Most Popular In MA
65
Sociology Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,152 schools 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 data year.
More information about a degree in sociology from Harvard University
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
5th
Most Popular In IL
67
Sociology Degrees Awarded
UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.
There were approximately 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
Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Durham. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.
There were roughly 50 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the sociology program at Duke University get $10,789 above the standard college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in sociology from Duke University
Located in the 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 2,152 schools 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 data year. Sociology degree recipients from Northwestern University get an earnings boost of approximately $3,640 above the average income of sociology graduates.
More information about a degree in sociology from Northwestern University
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 41 colleges for overall quality in the state of Indiana.
There were approximately 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
Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Boston College is a great college overall.
There were roughly 55 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent year we have data available. Sociology degree recipients from Boston College earn a boost of around $13,329 above the average earnings of sociology majors.
More information about a degree in sociology from Boston College
UCSB is a very large public university located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. This university ranks 7th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were approximately 684 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the sociology program state that they receive average early career wages of $34,372.
More information about a degree in sociology from University of California - Santa Barbara
UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the large city of Seattle. This university ranks 1st out of 50 schools 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 data year. Sociology degree recipients from University of Washington - Seattle Campus receive an earnings boost of about $5,300 over the average earnings of sociology majors.
More information about a degree in sociology from University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
5th
Most Popular In CT
40
Sociology Degrees Awarded
Yale is a large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of New Haven. This university ranks 1st out of 18 colleges for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.
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
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
4th
Most Popular In MD
Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.
There were approximately 27 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in sociology from Johns Hopkins University
Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 56 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
There were approximately 146 sociology students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the sociology program report average early career wages of $33,832.
More information about a degree in sociology from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the city of Madison. This university ranks 1st out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.
There were approximately 119 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the sociology program report average early career wages of $35,889.
More information about a degree in sociology from University of Wisconsin - Madison
Located in the small city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.
There were roughly 76 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the sociology program earn around $36,709 for their early career.
More information about a degree in sociology from Cornell University
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In TN
48
Sociology Degrees Awarded
Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.
There were about 48 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in sociology from Vanderbilt University
Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of College Station. This university ranks 1st out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.
There were approximately 166 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the sociology program earn around $35,848 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a degree in sociology from Texas A&M University - College Station
UC Davis is a very large public university located in the small suburb of Davis. This university ranks 10th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.
There were roughly 304 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the sociology program earn around $32,137 for their early career.
More information about a degree in sociology from University of California - Davis
Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #12 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Dartmouth is a great college overall.
There were approximately 31 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the sociology degree program at Dartmouth College make $29,615 above the standard graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in sociology from Dartmouth College
Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 12th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.
There were about 271 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the sociology program report average early career wages of $34,050.
More information about a degree in sociology from University of California - Irvine
University of Virginia is a very large public university located in the midsize suburb of Charlottesville. This university ranks 1st out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.
There were approximately 99 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. Sociology degree recipients from University of Virginia - Main Campus receive an earnings boost of approximately $11,024 above the average income of sociology majors.
More information about a degree in sociology from University of Virginia - Main Campus
Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the city of East Lansing. This university ranks 2nd out of 56 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
There were roughly 124 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the sociology program earn about $35,055 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in sociology from Michigan State University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In MO
WUSTL is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Saint Louis. This university ranks 1st out of 48 schools for overall quality in the state of Missouri.
There were approximately 23 sociology students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in sociology from Washington University in St Louis