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2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Sociology

121 Ranked Colleges
577 Degrees Awarded
$72,774 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Sociology is the 25th most popular major in the country with 38,475 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, sociology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,426 and had an average of $24,587 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 577 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,260 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major” ranking, we looked at 121 colleges that offer a degree in sociology. That schools that top this list have a program in sociology in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree sociology students.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Sociology

1
The Graduate Center crest
The Graduate Center, CUNY
New York, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The Graduate Center, CUNY. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. The Graduate Center is a medium-sized public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 14 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Sociology at The Graduate Center

2
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey

Out of the 121 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Princeton University landed the #2 spot on the list. Princeton University is located in Princeton, New Jersey and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Princeton Sociology Report

3
Howard crest
Howard University
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Howard University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. Howard University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Sociology at Howard

4

Out of the 121 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Francisco landed the #4 spot on the list. UCSF is a small public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 3 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at UCSF

5
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 17 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Read full report on Sociology at UChicago

6
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major ranking. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 10 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Stanford University Sociology Report

7
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

Yale University ranked #7 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Sociology at Yale

8

University of California - Merced ranked #8 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. Located in Merced, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at UC Merced

9
New School University crest
The New School
New York, New York

The New School came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major ranking. The New School is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Sociology at New School University

10
Cornell crest
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

Cornell University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major ranking. Cornell is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 13 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Cornell University Sociology Report

11

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. Bowling Green, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Sociology at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

12
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major ranking, coming in at #12. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Vanderbilt

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Sociology Report

14
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #14, Emory University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. Emory is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Sociology at Emory

15

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #15 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 22 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UW - Madison Sociology Report

16
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major ranking. South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at South Dakota State

17
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Notre Dame Sociology Report

18
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major ranking, coming in at #18. IU Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Sociology at Indiana University - Bloomington

19
Binghamton University crest
Binghamton University
Vestal, New York

Binghamton University ranked #19 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. Binghamton University is a fairly large public school situated in Vestal, New York. It awarded 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at Binghamton University

20

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UC Santa Cruz Sociology Report

21
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island

With a ranking of #21, Brown University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. This fairly large school is located in Providence, Rhode Island, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Brown

22
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Northwestern University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Northwestern Sociology Report

23

University of Alabama at Birmingham came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major ranking. UAB is a public institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Alabama at Birmingham Sociology Report

24

Texas Woman’s University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major ranking. Texas Woman’s University is a fairly large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

Full TWU Sociology Report

25

University of California - Irvine came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Sociology Major ranking. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UC Irvine Sociology Report

Notes and References

References

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