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 11 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 Clemson University this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Clemson University typically earn about $52,266 annually.
University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate typically earn about $37,827 annually.
College Of Charleston came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. College Of Charleston is a public school located in the city of Charleston. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,690.
Students chasing top earnings in sociology will find them at Lander University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,898.
University Of South Carolina Columbia produces some of the highest-paid graduates in sociology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia typically earn about $43,426 annually.
Winthrop University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Winthrop University is a public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Sociology graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of about $34,926 a year early in their careers.
University Of South Carolina Aiken placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a public institution. Sociology graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of about $40,850 a year early in their careers.
Francis Marion University landed the #8 spot for sociology salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Francis Marion University typically earn about $39,185 annually.
Coastal Carolina University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Coastal Carolina University is a public school located in the city of Conway. Sociology graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of about $44,757 a year early in their careers.
Claflin University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Claflin University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Claflin University make a median of around $37,339 per year.
Coker College earned the #11 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Hartsville, Coker College is a private not-for-profit institution. Sociology graduates of Coker College earn a median of about $23,689 a year early in their careers.
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 · 11 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.