by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their sociology graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find where sociology graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose sociology graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in sociology, no school beat Villanova University this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,088.
Students chasing top earnings in sociology will find them at Bucknell University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Sociology graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of about $66,041 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Thiel College one of the highest-paying schools for sociology. Thiel College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,822.
Kings College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. Kings College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,876.
Westminster College Pa came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Westminster College Pa is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Wilmington. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Westminster College Pa typically earn about $49,276 annually.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $62,726 annually.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $45,769 annually.
Bryn Mawr College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Bryn Mawr College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Sociology graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of about $44,446 a year early in their careers.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Early-career sociology graduates from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $43,824 per year.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $52,356 annually.
Duquesne University landed the #11 spot for sociology salaries this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,087.
Temple University landed the #12 spot for sociology salaries this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,805.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $44,129 annually.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Set in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,866.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earned the #15 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. Sociology graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of about $48,866 a year early in their careers.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #16 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,866.
Albright College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Albright College typically earn about $57,087 annually.
Arcadia University earned the #18 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Arcadia University make a median of around $36,919 per year.
Gettysburg College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gettysburg. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Gettysburg College typically earn about $36,396 annually.
La Salle University placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career sociology graduates from La Salle University make a median of around $36,319 per year.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #21 spot for sociology salaries this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus typically earn about $39,930 annually.
Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania came in at #22 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyney, Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,236.
Rosemont College came in at #23 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Rosemont, Rosemont College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Rosemont College typically earn about $33,537 annually.
Franklin And Marshall College landed the #24 spot for sociology salaries this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Franklin And Marshall College typically earn about $31,444 annually.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary make a median of around $26,583 per year.
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 · 25 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.