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2025 Best Sociology Associate Degree Schools in California

17 Colleges in California
4,585 Associate Degrees
If you pursue a associate degree in sociology, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #22 most popular program in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 17 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Sociology Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 4,585 associate degrees in sociology during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Sociology School for Your Associate Degree

Best Sociology Associate Degree Schools in California Your choice of sociology for getting your associate degree school matters. 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 Great Overall School

The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Early-Career Earnings

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their associate degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. That is, everyone wants their associate degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.

Other Factors We Consider

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 colleges for sociology students working on their associate degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Sociology Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Sociology Associate Degree Schools in California list, to help you choose the best school for you.

Best Schools for Associate Students to Study Sociology in California

The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in sociology.

10 Top California Schools for an Associate in Sociology

1
Merced Community College District crest
Merced College
Merced, CA
92 Annual Graduates

Every student who is interested in an associate degree in sociology has to take a look at Merced College. Located in the city of Merced, Merced Community College District is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in sociology from Merced College

2
21 Annual Graduates

City College of San Francisco is a great choice for students interested in an associate degree in sociology. Located in the large city of San Francisco, City College of San Francisco is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in sociology from City College of San Francisco

3
Sacramento City crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
63 Annual Graduates

It's difficult to beat Sacramento City College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in sociology. Sacramento City is a large public college located in the city of Sacramento.More information about a associate in sociology from Sacramento City College

4
201 Annual Graduates

It's difficult to beat Mt. San Antonio College if you wish to pursue an associate degree in sociology. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt. SAC is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in sociology from Mt. San Antonio College

5
MSJC crest
Mt. San Jacinto College
San Jacinto, CA
25 Annual Graduates

Located in the medium-sized suburb of San Jacinto, MSJC is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in sociology from Mt. San Jacinto College

6
American River crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
41 Annual Graduates

American River is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Sacramento.More information about a associate in sociology from American River College

7
Ohlone College crest
Ohlone College
Fremont, CA
26 Annual Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Fremont, Ohlone College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in sociology from Ohlone College

8
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA
97 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in sociology from East Los Angeles College

9
51 Annual Graduates

Fresno City College is a very large public college located in the large city of Fresno.More information about a associate in sociology from Fresno City College

10
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
69 Annual Graduates

College of the Canyons is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Santa Clarita.More information about a associate in sociology from College of the Canyons

Best Sociology Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Sociology Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Oregon 147 5
Nevada 112 9

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One of 13 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, Sociology has other similar majors worth exploring.

Sociology Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Sociology 4,585

Related Major Annual Graduates
General Social Sciences 7,511
Economics 3,297
Political Science & Government 1,815
Anthropology 720
Geography & Cartography 183
International Relations & National Security 12
Archeology 7
Other Social Sciences 2

Notes and References

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