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2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California

19 Ranked Colleges
164 Degrees Awarded
$26,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master's in California

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Sociology is the 24th most popular major in the country with 37,807 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, sociology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,727 and had an average of $23,622 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 14,493 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,922 and $18,563 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 164 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree in sociology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great sociology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the sociology program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Sociology Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree sociology students.

Top 19 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Sociology in California

#1

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

UCLA also took the #3 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at University of California - Los Angeles

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Northridge. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at CSUN

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students list, UC Irvine has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at UC Irvine

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 9 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at University of California - Berkeley

#5

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 7 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670.

Read full report on Sociology at University of California - Santa Barbara

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #7. California State University - Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cal State Fullerton Sociology Report

#7 in overall quality

University of California - Davis landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at UC Davis

#9

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 7 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Diego State University Sociology Report

With a ranking of #10, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - San Marcos is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students list, CSUSM has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUSM are $18,661.

Read more about Sociology at CSUSM

#11

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#11 in overall quality

San Jose State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 5 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790.

Full San Jose State University Sociology Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Sacramento Sociology Report

#18 in overall quality

California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUDH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Dominguez Hills are $17,884, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at CSUDH

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Sociology Report

#15

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California list. UCR is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree sociology students list, UCR has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at UCR

#16

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#19 in overall quality

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Humboldt State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802.

Read more about Sociology at Humboldt State University

#14 in overall quality

University of California - Merced came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

UC Merced not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Merced are $43,854, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Merced Sociology Report

#18

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

University of Southern California landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715.

Read full report on Sociology at USC

#19

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Stanford University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in California list. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Full Stanford University Sociology Report

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Kontos.

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