Illinois · Sociology and Anthropology

Best colleges for Sociology and Anthropology in Illinois

Ranked by graduate earnings

Lake Forest College, Knox College and Augustana College award the most Sociology and Anthropology degrees and certificates in Illinois: 14, 11 and 7 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Illinois colleges offer Sociology and Anthropology and award 44 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Sociology and Anthropology program explores the complexities of human society and culture. This interdisciplinary field combines the study of social structures, cultural diversity, and universal human behaviors, making it ideal for…

Institutions
6
offering CIP 45.13
States offered
26
with a program page
Degrees / yr
44
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$26,350
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$25,052
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Sociologists
$143,940
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Knox College
Galesburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$26,3501168%$24,240$27,000

Colleges awarding the most Sociology and Anthropology degrees in Illinois

Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Lake Forest College
Lake Forest Private not-for-profit
14Not reported
2Knox College
Galesburg Private not-for-profit
11$26,350
3Augustana College
Rock Island Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
4Loyola University Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
5University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield Public
3Not reported
Show the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Sociology and Anthropology
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Governors State UniversityUniversity ParkPublic4

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Sociologists (SOC 19-3041).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.6%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~300
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$101,690
typically Master's degree

Top skills

SpeakingActive ListeningWritingActive LearningReading ComprehensionCritical Thinking

What Sociologists earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$143,940
median $140,770
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
$90,030 avg · 440 jobs
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
$86,340 avg · 180 jobs
Anthropologists and Archeologists
$65,610 avg · 140 jobs
Sociologists
$143,940

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Sociology and Anthropology programs in Illinois.

Which Illinois colleges award the most Sociology and Anthropology degrees?+

Lake Forest College (14 graduates a year), Knox College (11 graduates a year) and Augustana College (7 graduates a year) award the most Sociology and Anthropology degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Illinois colleges offer Sociology and Anthropology.

How much do Sociologists earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Sociologists in Illinois is $143,940 (median $140,770). Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Sociology and Anthropology program?+

The Sociology and Anthropology program explores the complexities of human society and culture. This interdisciplinary field combines the study of social structures, cultural diversity, and universal human behaviors, making it ideal for…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop speaking, active listening, writing, active learning, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Sociologists?+

The national job outlook is about +3.6% growth with around 300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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