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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find where sociology graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send sociology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 for sociology graduate salaries in Texas. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Sociology graduates of Rice University earn a median of about $68,737 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Texas Lutheran University one of the highest-paying schools for sociology. Set in the town of Seguin, Texas Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,245.
Texas Christian University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Texas Christian University make a median of around $61,785 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned it the #4 place for sociology. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a public institution. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of about $49,830 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #5 place for sociology. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,618.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #6 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,765.
Dallas Baptist University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University typically earn about $44,325 annually.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of about $54,592 a year early in their careers.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #9 spot for sociology salaries this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Texas A And M University College Station make a median of around $56,269 per year.
Texas Womans University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,004.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #11 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Texas A And M University Kingsville make a median of around $42,937 per year.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #12 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American typically earn about $42,900 annually.
University Of North Texas ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from University Of North Texas make a median of around $56,174 per year.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sociology schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Students who complete the sociology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,316.
Baylor University earned the #15 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Baylor University typically earn about $48,488 annually.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #16 spot for sociology salaries this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Stephen F Austin State University make a median of around $41,569 per year.
University Of Houston earned the #17 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from University Of Houston make a median of around $56,477 per year.
Texas Tech University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for sociology. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Sociology graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of about $52,686 a year early in their careers.
Lamar University earned the #19 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from Lamar University typically earn about $38,042 annually.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #20 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. After graduating, sociology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio typically earn about $44,427 annually.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #21 spot for sociology salaries this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public school located in the city of El Paso. Sociology graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of about $47,880 a year early in their careers.
Midwestern State University earned the #22 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Midwestern State University is a public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Early-career sociology graduates from Midwestern State University make a median of around $45,329 per year.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #23 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a public institution. Sociology graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of about $40,628 a year early in their careers.
Sam Houston State University earned the #24 position for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Sociology graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $49,768 a year early in their careers.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #25 for sociology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a public institution. Early-career sociology graduates from Texas A And M University San Antonio make a median of around $33,945 per year.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning sociology graduates:
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 · 28 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.