Rhode Island · Sociology

Best colleges for Sociology in Rhode Island

Ranked by graduate earnings

Brown University, University of Rhode Island and Providence College award the most Sociology degrees in Rhode Island: 32, 17 and 16 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Rhode Island colleges offer Sociology and award 84 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
7
offering CIP 45.11
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
84
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$36,742
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$31,899
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
66%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Sociologists
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 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 Rhode Island
Kingston Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$42,5541773%—$23,250
2Rhode Island College
Providence Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$36,742948%—$21,100
3Providence College
Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$35,9831686%$32,048$27,000

Colleges awarding the most Sociology degrees in Rhode Island

Top 6 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)
1Brown University
Providence Private not-for-profit
32Not reported
2University of Rhode Island
Kingston Public
17$42,554
3Providence College
Providence Private not-for-profit
16$35,983
4Rhode Island College
Providence Public
9$36,742
5Salve Regina University
Newport Private not-for-profit
6Not reported
6Bryant University
Smithfield Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
Show the other 1 Rhode Island colleges offering Sociology
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Johnson & Wales University - Online (Online)ProvidencePrivate not-for-profit2

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 Rhode Island

Jobs in Rhode Island
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Social Science Research Assistants
$64,380 avg · 220 jobs
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
$127,170 avg · 140 jobs
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
—
Sociologists
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Sociology programs in Rhode Island.

Which Rhode Island colleges award the most Sociology degrees?+

Brown University (32 graduates a year), University of Rhode Island (17 graduates a year) and Providence College (16 graduates a year) award the most Sociology degrees in Rhode Island, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Rhode Island colleges offer Sociology.

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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