Kansas · Sociology

Best colleges for Sociology in Kansas

Ranked by graduate earnings

Kansas State University, University of Kansas and Fort Hays State University are the top bachelor's Sociology programs in Kansas by graduate earnings. Kansas State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,985, College Scorecard. Kansas State University, University of Kansas and Fort Hays State University award the most Sociology degrees in Kansas: 30, 24 and 21 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Kansas colleges offer Sociology and award 119 degrees and certificates a year in all.

Sociology is the scientific study of human society, focusing on social behavior, relationships, and cultural aspects of everyday life. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of social interactions…

Institutions
9
offering CIP 45.11
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
119
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$38,075
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
5
College Scorecard
Median net price
$24,084
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
54%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Sociologists
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BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 5 bachelor's programs, 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
1Kansas State University
Manhattan Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,9853071%—$25,946
2University of Kansas
Lawrence Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,7032469%—$23,001
3Fort Hays State University
Hays Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,0752148%—$33,482
4Wichita State University
Wichita Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$35,2361051%—$30,500
5Emporia State University
Emporia Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$29,3131756%—$27,000

Colleges awarding the most Sociology degrees in Kansas

Top 9 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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)
1Kansas State University
Manhattan Public
30$42,985
2University of Kansas
Lawrence Public
24$42,703
3Fort Hays State University
Hays Public
21$38,075
4Emporia State University
Emporia Public
17$29,313
5Wichita State University
Wichita Public
10$35,236
6Baker University
Baldwin City Private not-for-profit
9Not reported
7McPherson College
McPherson Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
8Washburn University
Topeka Public
3Not reported
9Friends University
Wichita Private not-for-profit
2Not reported

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 Kansas

Jobs in Kansas
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
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Related careers

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
$57,050 avg · 190 jobs
Social Science Research Assistants
$60,630 avg · 170 jobs
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
$91,310 avg · 110 jobs
Sociologists
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Common questions

Answers for students comparing Sociology programs in Kansas.

Which Kansas colleges award the most Sociology degrees?+

Kansas State University (30 graduates a year), University of Kansas (24 graduates a year) and Fort Hays State University (21 graduates a year) award the most Sociology degrees in Kansas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Kansas colleges offer Sociology.

What is the best college for Sociology in Kansas?+

By graduate earnings, Kansas State University leads among bachelor's Sociology programs in Kansas, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,985, College Scorecard. University of Kansas and Fort Hays State University follow. By degrees awarded, Kansas State University is the largest, with 30 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Sociology program in Kansas has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Kansas State University tops the list at $42,985. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

What is the focus of the Sociology program?+

Sociology is the scientific study of human society, focusing on social behavior, relationships, and cultural aspects of everyday life. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of social interactions…

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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