Minnesota · Sociology

Best colleges for Sociology in Minnesota

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Augsburg University and Macalester College award the most Sociology degrees in Minnesota: 66, 18 and 17 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 Minnesota colleges offer Sociology and award 185 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
18
offering CIP 45.11
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
185
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$38,972
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
6
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,607
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
62%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Sociologists
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BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 6 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 Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,9726685%—$20,377
2Winona State University
Winona Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$43,505657%—$21,687
3Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$42,984357%—$27,000
4Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$42,1081754%—$27,000
5Augsburg University
Minneapolis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$34,5431852%$23,585$27,000
6Hamline University
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$33,8941160%$20,981$27,000

Colleges awarding the most Sociology degrees in Minnesota

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)
1University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis Public
66$38,972
2Augsburg University
Minneapolis Private not-for-profit
18$34,543
3Macalester College
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit
17Not reported
4Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato Public
17$42,108
5Hamline University
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit
11$33,894
6Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter Private not-for-profit
10Not reported
7University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth Public
9Not reported
8Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall Public
6Not reported
9Winona State University
Winona Public
6$43,505
10Bemidji State University
Bemidji Public
5Not reported
Show the other 8 Minnesota colleges offering Sociology
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
University of St ThomasSaint PaulPrivate not-for-profit4
Concordia College at MoorheadMoorheadPrivate not-for-profit3
Concordia University - Saint PaulSaint PaulPrivate not-for-profit3
Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorheadPublic3
College of Saint BenedictSaint JosephPrivate not-for-profit2
Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint CloudPublic2
Saint Johns UniversityCollegevillePrivate not-for-profit2
University of Minnesota-MorrisMorrisPublic1

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 Minnesota

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

Social Science Research Assistants
$48,410 avg · 300 jobs
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
$94,000 avg · 240 jobs
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
$102,350 avg · 110 jobs
Sociologists
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Sociology programs in Minnesota.

Which Minnesota colleges award the most Sociology degrees?+

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (66 graduates a year), Augsburg University (18 graduates a year) and Macalester College (17 graduates a year) award the most Sociology degrees in Minnesota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 Minnesota colleges offer Sociology.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities tops the list at $38,972. 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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