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 highest-paying schools turn a sociology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying sociology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send sociology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in sociology, no school beat Seton Hall University this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Seton Hall University typically earn about $61,124 annually.
A rank of #2 makes The College Of New Jersey one of the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,732.
A rank of #3 makes Rider University one of the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Sociology graduates of Rider University earn a median of about $53,633 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned it the #4 place for sociology. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Sociology graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of about $57,252 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Centenary College earned it the #5 place for sociology. Located in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,060.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from William Paterson University Of New Jersey make a median of around $52,509 per year.
Rutgers University Camden placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a public institution. Sociology graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of about $52,960 a year early in their careers.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Sociology graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $52,960 a year early in their careers.
Rutgers University Newark placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Rutgers University Newark is a public school located in the city of Newark. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark typically earn about $52,960 annually.
Kean University earned the #10 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Kean University is a public school located in the suburb of Union. Sociology graduates of Kean University earn a median of about $44,762 a year early in their careers.
Rowan University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Rowan University is a public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Rowan University typically earn about $53,424 annually.
Montclair State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Montclair State University is a public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Early-career sociology graduates from Montclair State University make a median of around $48,455 per year.
Bloomfield College landed the #13 spot for sociology salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Bloomfield, Bloomfield College is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Bloomfield College typically earn about $45,890 annually.
New Jersey City University earned the #14 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. New Jersey City University is a public school located in the city of Jersey City. Early-career sociology graduates from New Jersey City University make a median of around $47,043 per year.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #15 for sociology graduate earnings this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,101.
Princeton University earned the #16 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Princeton University typically earn about $32,914 annually.
Drew University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Drew University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Drew University typically earn about $47,255 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their sociology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 17 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.
