Best institutions to study Sociology
Any instructional program in sociology not listed above.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 8 Sociology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 45.1199, a specialization of Sociology (CIP 45.11), and leads most directly to the Sociologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3041).
About Sociology programs
Any instructional program in sociology not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Sociology program, classified under Social Sciences, offers students an opportunity to explore the complexities of human social behavior. This program is designed for individuals interested in understanding societal structures, cultural norms, and group dynamics, preparing them for various roles in research, education, and social services.
Students in the Sociology program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics in sociology and anthropology, data collection methods, and the analysis of social behaviors, enabling students to gain a comprehensive understanding of societal issues.
Credentials awarded
What Sociology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree5 graduates / yr · 1 institution63%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution25%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1 graduates / yr · 1 institution13%
Graduates over time
Sociology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 8 |
CIP 45.1199 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 3 institutions for Sociology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamline University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 60% | $20,981 | $33,894 |
| 2 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicDoctoral | 2 | 86% | — | $36,464 |
| 3 | Bemidji State University Bemidji, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 48% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Sociology field (CIP 45.11) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 2 states
Where Sociology graduates come from. Each state links to all Sociology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 2 | 6 | Hamline University5 / yr |
| California | 1 | 2 | University of California - San Diego2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3041, Sociologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Sociology program can pursue careers as sociologists, postsecondary educators, or managers in various fields. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an estimated growth rate of 3.6% and around 300 annual openings. The median wage for sociologists is approximately $101,690, with a typical education requirement of a Master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 45.1199
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sociologistsprimary SOC 19-3041 | $106,030 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~300 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other SOC 25-1069 | $72,990 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~1,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1067 | $84,290 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Sociology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Sociology specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Sociology (CIP 45.11).
Common questions
What degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Doctor's degree, or a short-term award.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a sociologist, sociology teacher, or in management roles.
What is the job outlook for sociologists?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.6%.
What is the CIP code for Sociology?+
Sociology is CIP 45.1199 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Sociology (CIP 45.11). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in sociology not listed above.
How many institutions offer Sociology programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Sociology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 8 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Sociology graduates.
How much do Sociology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Sociologists occupation, which Sociology most directly leads to, pays a median of $106,030 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Sociology field report median earnings of $36,464 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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