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.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying sociology schools.
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 Duke University this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Duke University typically earn about $75,020 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Wake Forest University earned it the #2 place for sociology. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Sociology graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of about $62,340 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Gardner Webb University one of the highest-paying schools for sociology. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Gardner Webb University make a median of around $42,282 per year.
Saint Augustines College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Saint Augustines College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Saint Augustines College typically earn about $41,953 annually.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the highest-paying schools for sociology. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Early-career sociology graduates from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill make a median of around $57,345 per year.
Winston Salem State University landed the #6 spot for sociology salaries this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a public institution. Sociology graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $39,750 a year early in their careers.
East Carolina University landed the #7 spot for sociology salaries this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. Sociology graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of about $48,880 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a public school located in the town of Pembroke. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,822.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #9 spot for sociology salaries this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Sociology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of about $46,040 a year early in their careers.
Appalachian State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Appalachian State University typically earn about $44,662 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington make a median of around $47,645 per year.
Fayetteville State University earned the #12 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Fayetteville State University typically earn about $40,617 annually.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,510.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school located in the city of Greensboro. Sociology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of about $43,912 a year early in their careers.
Western Carolina University earned the #15 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Western Carolina University make a median of around $48,855 per year.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. North Carolina A And T State University is a public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,616.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a public school located in the city of Asheville. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,232.
This list is compiled 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.