Wisconsin · Sociology

Best colleges for Sociology in Wisconsin

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are the top bachelor's Sociology programs in Wisconsin by graduate earnings. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,888, College Scorecard. University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point award the most Sociology degrees in Wisconsin: 95, 41 and 35 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Wisconsin colleges offer Sociology and award 345 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
17
offering CIP 45.11
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
345
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$35,981
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
9
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,844
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
62%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Sociologists
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BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 9 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 Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Stevens Point Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,8883551%—$25,968
2University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,4524149%—$26,000
3University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,4112759%—$26,000
4University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,8899590%—$17,802
5University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,5293171%—$25,000
6Beloit College
Beloit Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$36,2221171%$21,381$27,000
7Saint Norbert College
De Pere Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$35,9811171%$23,319$26,000
8University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Kenosha Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$35,7101840%—$26,250
9University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Eau Claire Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$30,1111264%—$21,500

Colleges awarding the most Sociology degrees in Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin-Madison
Madison Public
95$35,889
2University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee Public
41$36,452
3University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Stevens Point Public
35$37,888
4University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
La Crosse Public
31$33,529
5University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater Public
27$36,411
6University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Oshkosh Public
27Not reported
7University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Kenosha Public
18$35,710
8University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Eau Claire Public
12$30,111
9Beloit College
Beloit Private not-for-profit
11$36,222
10Saint Norbert College
De Pere Private not-for-profit
11$35,981
Show the other 7 Wisconsin colleges offering Sociology
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Carroll UniversityWaukeshaPrivate not-for-profit9
University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver FallsPublic7
Edgewood UniversityMadisonPrivate not-for-profit6
Marquette UniversityMilwaukeePrivate not-for-profit5
Ripon CollegeRiponPrivate not-for-profit5
Carthage CollegeKenoshaPrivate not-for-profit3
Alverno CollegeMilwaukeePrivate 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 Wisconsin

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

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
$105,930 avg · 450 jobs
Social Science Research Assistants
$52,660 avg · 110 jobs
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
$79,240 avg · 80 jobs
Sociologists
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Sociology programs in Wisconsin.

Which Wisconsin colleges award the most Sociology degrees?+

University of Wisconsin-Madison (95 graduates a year), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (41 graduates a year) and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (35 graduates a year) award the most Sociology degrees in Wisconsin, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Wisconsin colleges offer Sociology.

What is the best college for Sociology in Wisconsin?+

By graduate earnings, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point leads among bachelor's Sociology programs in Wisconsin, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,888, College Scorecard. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater follow. By degrees awarded, University of Wisconsin-Madison is the largest, with 95 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point tops the list at $37,888. 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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