by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 37 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Sociology Master's Degree Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,428 master's degrees in sociology to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The sociology master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for sociology students working on their master's degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Sociology Master's Degree Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in sociology.
Stanford University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in sociology. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Stanford.More information about a master’s in sociology from Stanford University
Any student who is interested in a master's degree in sociology has to look into Columbia University in the City of New York. Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in sociology from Columbia University in the City of New York
University of California - Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in sociology. UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the city of Berkeley.More information about a master’s in sociology from University of California - Berkeley
University of California - Los Angeles is a wonderful choice for individuals pursuing a master's degree in sociology. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in sociology from University of California - Los Angeles
Located in the city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a master’s in sociology from University of Chicago
U-M is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor.More information about a master’s in sociology from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in sociology from New York University
Princeton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Princeton.More information about a master’s in sociology from Princeton University
Ohio State is a very large public university located in the city of Columbus.More information about a master’s in sociology from Ohio State University - Main Campus
Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Iowa City.More information about a master’s in sociology from University of Iowa
View the Best Sociology Master's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
Sociology is one of 13 different types of Social Sciences programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sociology | 1,403 |
| Applied/Public Sociology | 25 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 4,686 |
| International Relations & National Security | 4,650 |
| Political Science & Government | 1,889 |
| Geography & Cartography | 1,248 |
| Anthropology | 1,001 |
| General Social Sciences | 854 |
| Urban Studies | 382 |
| Other Social Sciences | 351 |
| Archeology | 60 |
| Demography & Population Studies | 37 |
