Virginia · Sociology

Best Sociology institutions in Virginia, ranked by earnings

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
24
offering CIP 45.11
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
724
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$37,946
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
11
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,981
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
62%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Sociologists
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,7866496%$20,500
2Randolph - Macon College
Ashland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$39,6561370%$26,498$27,000
3Roanoke College
Salem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,9831067%$24,604$27,000
4George Mason University
Fairfax Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,9164968%$20,514
5Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,76817086%$22,859
6Old Dominion University
Norfolk Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,9466046%$26,100
7Christopher Newport University
Newport News Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,9774872%$25,548
8University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,4991866%$23,500
9Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,7816663%$26,285
10James Madison University
Harrisonburg Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,5135480%$19,168

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 Virginia

Jobs in Virginia
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
annual
Best-paying metro

Related careers

Social Science Research Assistants
$53,360 avg · 510 jobs
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
$81,530 avg · 440 jobs
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
avg · 80 jobs
Sociologists

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Sociology programs in Virginia.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), University of Virginia - Main Campus tops the list at $45,786. Compare it against completions, 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).

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