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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 15 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.
University Of Richmond earned the #1 spot for highest-paid sociology graduates in Virginia. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. Sociology graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of about $65,809 a year early in their careers.
College Of William And Mary came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. Sociology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of about $65,242 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Virginia Main Campus earned it the #3 place for sociology. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from University Of Virginia Main Campus make a median of around $68,316 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at George Mason University earned it the #4 place for sociology. George Mason University is a public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Early-career sociology graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $58,321 per year.
Emory And Henry College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Located in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,072.
Christopher Newport University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Christopher Newport University is a public school located in the city of Newport News. Sociology graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of about $58,418 a year early in their careers.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. University Of Mary Washington is a public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Sociology graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of about $58,027 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Sociology graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of about $53,098 a year early in their careers.
Old Dominion University came in at #9 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Sociology graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of about $52,363 a year early in their careers.
Randolph Macon College came in at #10 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Randolph Macon College make a median of around $48,640 per year.
Radford University came in at #11 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Radford University is a public school located in the town of Radford. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,018.
James Madison University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,440.
Roanoke College placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. Sociology graduates of Roanoke College earn a median of about $38,983 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #14 spot for sociology salaries this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University typically earn about $46,863 annually.
Longwood University came in at #15 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a public institution. Sociology graduates of Longwood University earn a median of about $53,416 a year early in their careers.
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 · 15 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.