Kentucky · Sociology

Best colleges for Sociology in Kentucky

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Kentucky, Morehead State University and University of Louisville are the top bachelor's Sociology programs in Kentucky by graduate earnings. University of Kentucky leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,922, College Scorecard. Morehead State University, University of Kentucky and University of Louisville award the most Sociology degrees in Kentucky: 47, 37 and 34 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Kentucky colleges offer Sociology and award 189 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
15
offering CIP 45.11
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
189
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$32,818
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$19,816
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
55%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Sociologists
$121,880
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 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
1University of Kentucky
Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,9223771%—$26,000
2Morehead State University
Morehead Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,5114752%—$25,000
3University of Louisville
Louisville Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,8183461%—$23,000
4Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$32,7621056%—$26,529

Colleges awarding the most Sociology degrees in Kentucky

Top 10 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)
1Morehead State University
Morehead Public
47$34,511
2University of Kentucky
Lexington Public
37$34,922
3University of Louisville
Louisville Public
34$32,818
4Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond Public
16Not reported
5Georgetown College
Georgetown Private not-for-profit
12Not reported
6Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public
10$32,762
7Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights Public
9Not reported
8Berea College
Berea Private not-for-profit
7Not reported
9Asbury University
Wilmore Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
10Campbellsville University
Campbellsville Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
Show the other 5 Kentucky colleges offering Sociology
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Murray State UniversityMurrayPublic3
Transylvania UniversityLexingtonPrivate not-for-profit3
Bellarmine UniversityLouisvillePrivate not-for-profit1
University of PikevillePikevillePrivate not-for-profit1
Union Commonwealth UniversityBarbourvillePrivate not-for-profit1

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 Kentucky

Jobs in Kentucky
30
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$121,880
median $136,870
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Social Science Research Assistants
$70,300 avg · 1,190 jobs
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
$80,990 avg · 340 jobs
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
$76,880 avg · 150 jobs
Sociologists
$121,880 avg · 30 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Sociology programs in Kentucky.

Which Kentucky colleges award the most Sociology degrees?+

Morehead State University (47 graduates a year), University of Kentucky (37 graduates a year) and University of Louisville (34 graduates a year) award the most Sociology degrees in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Kentucky colleges offer Sociology.

What is the best college for Sociology in Kentucky?+

By graduate earnings, University of Kentucky leads among bachelor's Sociology programs in Kentucky, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,922, College Scorecard. Morehead State University and University of Louisville follow. By degrees awarded, Morehead State University is the largest, with 47 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Kentucky tops the list at $34,922. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Sociologists earn in Kentucky?+

The average annual wage for Sociologists in Kentucky is $121,880 (median $136,870), across about 30 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

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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