by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their sociology graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 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 Capital University the top school for sociology graduate earnings in Ohio. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,531.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Dayton earned it the #2 place for sociology. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. Sociology graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of about $51,435 a year early in their careers.
Miami University Oxford produces some of the highest-paid graduates in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Sociology graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of about $54,109 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in sociology will find them at John Carroll University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career sociology graduates from John Carroll University make a median of around $57,774 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for sociology. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Columbus. Sociology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $52,440 a year early in their careers.
Ohio State University Mansfield Campus came in at #6 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, Ohio State University Mansfield Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,440.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #7 spot for sociology salaries this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a public institution. Sociology graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of about $43,290 a year early in their careers.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #8 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Cincinnati. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus typically earn about $42,507 annually.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Athens. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus typically earn about $49,966 annually.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,821.
Walsh University came in at #11 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Walsh University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Walsh University typically earn about $39,948 annually.
The College Of Wooster earned the #12 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a private not-for-profit institution. Sociology graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of about $48,433 a year early in their careers.
Cleveland State University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Cleveland State University is a public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,169.
Shawnee State University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Shawnee State University is a public school located in the town of Portsmouth. Sociology graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of about $37,486 a year early in their careers.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #15 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Bowling Green State University Main Campus make a median of around $44,936 per year.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #16 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,423.
This list is compiled 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 · 16 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.