Sociology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 546 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for sociology students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for sociology can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Sociology Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Sociology School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Sociology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Dartmouth College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in sociology. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $64,377. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sociology from Dartmouth College
University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Chicago awarded about 39 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong sociology program will find one at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 22 sociology degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $84,850 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
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Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sociology, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 23 sociology degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $40,079. Typical student debt for the program is $13,266.
More information about a degree in sociology from Georgetown University
Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sociology, ranking #5. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 20 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
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Santa Clara University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Santa Clara University awarded about 12 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $53,612 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sociology program at Santa Clara University
Duke University earned the #7 position for sociology this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Duke University earn around $45,551 in the first couple years of their career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans.
See the full sociology program report for Duke University
Stanford University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 65 sociology degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sociology from Stanford University
Brown University placed #9 among the best sociology schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 32 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sociology program at Brown University
Tufts University placed #10 among the best sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Tufts University earn around $47,859 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
See the full sociology program report for Tufts University
University Of California Berkeley earned the #11 position for sociology this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 251 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $40,774 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,131 in student loans.
Read more about the sociology program at University Of California Berkeley
Washington University In St Louis placed #12 among the best sociology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
See the full sociology program report for Washington University In St Louis
Barnard College placed #13 among the best sociology schools. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. Barnard College awarded about 28 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $48,215 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,899 to complete this degree.
See the full sociology program report for Barnard College
University Of Notre Dame placed #14 among the best sociology schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 42 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $35,915 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,800.
More information about a degree in sociology from University Of Notre Dame
Boston College earned the #15 position for sociology this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston College awarded about 31 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $48,091 in their early career. Boston College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
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Northwestern University earned the #16 position for sociology this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Northwestern University earn around $38,402 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,567.
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University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 667 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $34,372 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,500.
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Colgate University placed #18 among the best sociology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $51,788 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,286.
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University Of Southern California landed the #19 spot for sociology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 44 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $35,580 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $10,324 in student loans.
More information about a degree in sociology from University Of Southern California
Yale University came in at #20 for sociology this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 30 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
See the full sociology program report for Yale University
Wesleyan University landed the #21 spot for sociology this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
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Bowdoin College earned the #22 position for sociology this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 sociology degrees were awarded at Bowdoin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Bowdoin College earn around $47,749 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,658.
More information about a degree in sociology from Bowdoin College
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #23 spot for sociology this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 160 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $40,062 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,286.
Read more about the sociology program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 672 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $34,121 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans.
Read more about the sociology program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #25 among the best sociology schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 129 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $33,832 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,568 to complete this degree.
Get the full sociology details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Rest of the Top 50 Sociology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong sociology education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 546 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
