Best colleges for Sociology
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Sociology by graduate earnings are Dartmouth College ($64,377), Columbia University ($58,541) and Colgate University ($51,788), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH): $64,377, 37 graduates a year
- Columbia University (New York, NY): $58,541, 85 graduates a year
- Colgate University (Hamilton, NY): $51,788, 34 graduates a year
- Barnard College (New York, NY): $48,215, 28 graduates a year
- Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA): $48,091, 31 graduates a year
Compare 1,032 U.S. colleges offering Sociology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 52 states.
Sociology programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,121 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 45.11 and the Sociologists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Sociology programs
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 and the factors that influence human behavior within various contexts. It offers a comprehensive exploration of both individual and societal dynamics.
Students in sociology programs develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes empirical investigation methods, data analysis, and the study of sociological theories, providing a solid foundation in understanding social structures and changes.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,377 | 37 | 96% | $14,689 | $19,250 |
| 2 | Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,541 | 85 | 96% | $15,315 | $31,000 |
| 3 | Colgate University Hamilton, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,788 | 34 | 91% | $22,903 | — |
| 4 | Barnard College New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,215 | 28 | 93% | $24,675 | $15,899 |
| 5 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,091 | 31 | 91% | $21,126 | $19,000 |
| 6 | Adams State University Alamosa, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,948 | 29 | 39% | — | $29,441 |
| 7 | National University San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,505 | 39 | 43% | $31,817 | $28,125 |
| 8 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,257 | 27 | 89% | $20,914 | $23,000 |
| 9 | University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,786 | 59 | 96% | — | $20,500 |
| 10 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,551 | 48 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 11 | Brandeis University Waltham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,287 | 23 | 86% | $25,074 | $27,000 |
| 12 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,150 | 38 | 80% | — | $23,500 |
| 13 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,985 | 30 | 71% | — | $25,946 |
| 14 | CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,710 | 118 | 51% | — | $11,247 |
| 15 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,703 | 24 | 69% | — | $23,001 |
| 16 | Occidental College Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,653 | 21 | 81% | $28,024 | $21,250 |
| 17 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,507 | 24 | 75% | — | $24,250 |
| 18 | University of New Hampshire Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,048 | 31 | 76% | — | $27,000 |
| 19 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,624 | 34 | 91% | $18,925 | $27,000 |
| 20 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,062 | 28 | 54% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,871 | 21 | 47% | — | $26,750 |
| 22 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,774 | 251 | 93% | — | $13,131 |
| 23 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,763 | 114 | 50% | — | $15,000 |
| 24 | Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,675 | 20 | 84% | $26,083 | $21,000 |
| 25 | University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,569 | 37 | 49% | — | $28,750 |
Specializations within Sociology
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 45.11 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- SociologyCIP 45.110127,731 graduates / yr1,030 institutions52 states
- Applied/CIP 45.1102
Public Sociology New in CIP 2020125 graduates / yr10 institutions7 states - Rural SociologyCIP 45.1103partial data46 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states
- SociologyCIP 45.1199New in CIP 2020partial data8 graduates / yr3 institutions2 states
Offered across 52 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3041, Sociologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates with a degree in sociology can pursue various careers, with a median wage of $101,690. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an estimated 300 annual openings and a growth rate of 3.6%. A master's degree is typically required for advanced positions in this field.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Sociology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 45.11.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 45.11 (Sociology) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-3041 | Sociologistsprimary |
| 19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants |
| 25-1067 | Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1069 | Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Sociology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
- Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
- Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
- Teach sociology.
- Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
Common questions
What can I do with a degree in sociology?+
A sociology degree opens doors to careers in research, education, social services, and public policy.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, data analysis, communication, and research methodologies.
What is the typical education requirement for sociology careers?+
Most sociology careers require at least a master's degree.
What is the job outlook for sociology graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.6% and around 300 annual job openings.
How much do Sociology graduates earn?+
Sociology graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,121, College Scorecard (2019); the Sociologists occupation pays about $114,920 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Sociology?+
Sociology maps to CIP 45.11 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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