by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 4 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.
Our analysis ranked American Public University System the top school for sociology graduate earnings in West Virginia. American Public University System is a private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from American Public University System typically earn about $55,096 annually.
Fairmont State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Fairmont State University is a public school located in the town of Fairmont. Early-career sociology graduates from Fairmont State University make a median of around $44,585 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Shepherd University one of the highest-paying schools for sociology. Shepherd University is a public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. Sociology graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of about $56,868 a year early in their careers.
West Virginia University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a public institution. Sociology graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of about $44,783 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 · 4 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.