by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their sociology graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the early-career earnings of their sociology graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send sociology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Fresno City College the top school for sociology graduate earnings in the United States. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Fresno City College make a median of around $51,703 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Sacramento City College one of the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,848.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College typically earn about $49,932 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Orange Coast College earned it the #4 place for sociology. Orange Coast College is a public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Sociology graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of about $48,445 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #5 place for sociology. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,444.
College Of The Canyons came in at #6 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a public institution. Sociology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of about $44,021 a year early in their careers.
Cerritos College landed the #7 spot for sociology salaries this year. Cerritos College is a public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Cerritos College typically earn about $43,979 annually.
Los Angeles Valley College landed the #8 spot for sociology salaries this year. Los Angeles Valley College is a public school located in the city of Valley Glen. Sociology graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of about $42,875 a year early in their careers.
San Diego Mesa College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a public institution. Sociology graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of about $42,067 a year early in their careers.
Moorpark College earned the #10 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,375.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #11 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,648.
College Of Western Idaho placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. College Of Western Idaho is a public school located in the rural area of Nampa. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho typically earn about $39,280 annually.
Pasadena City College landed the #13 spot for sociology salaries this year. Pasadena City College is a public school located in the city of Pasadena. Early-career sociology graduates from Pasadena City College make a median of around $35,385 per year.
Crafton Hills College earned the #14 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Yucaipa, Crafton Hills College is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Crafton Hills College typically earn about $34,818 annually.
Oxnard College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Oxnard College is a public school located in the city of Oxnard. Sociology graduates of Oxnard College earn a median of about $34,674 a year early in their careers.
San Diego City College came in at #16 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from San Diego City College typically earn about $33,628 annually.
Rio Hondo College came in at #17 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Rio Hondo College typically earn about $33,585 annually.
Ventura College earned the #18 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Ventura College typically earn about $33,564 annually.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #19 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a public school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $16,893.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Sociology rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries sociology graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 19 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.