2026 Best Sociology Schools in California

1

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in sociology. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Santa Clara University awarded about 14 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. More information about a degree in sociology from Santa Clara University

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 275 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $40,774 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,131 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for University Of California Berkeley

3

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data 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

4

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

Students looking for a strong sociology program will find one at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 616 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $34,372 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,500. Get the full sociology details for University Of California Santa Barbara

5

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for sociology. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 49 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $35,580 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,324 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for University Of Southern California

6

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #6 for sociology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 645 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. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for University Of California Los Angeles

7

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #7 for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 253 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,137. Students borrow a median of $12,600 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from University Of California Davis

8

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego earned the #8 position for sociology this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 147 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $36,464 in their early career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for University Of California San Diego

9

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #9 for sociology this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 194 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full sociology details for San Jose State University

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #10 spot for sociology this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 291 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $37,040 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $16,100 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from California State University Sacramento

11

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University placed #11 among the best sociology schools. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $54,116. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Point Loma Nazarene University

12

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #12 spot for sociology this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 sociology degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $30,401 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750. See the full sociology program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

13

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 sociology degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $35,993. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Loyola Marymount University

14

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #14 position for sociology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 217 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $34,050. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for University Of California Irvine

15

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #15 for sociology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 118 sociology degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from San Francisco State University earn around $40,763 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at San Francisco State University

16

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University earned the #16 position for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 70 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $37,896 early in their careers. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at Sonoma State University

17

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay came in at #17 for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 159 sociology students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $39,378. Typical student debt for the program is $18,654. More information about a degree in sociology from California State University East Bay

18

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 36 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $36,183 in their early career. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for University Of San Francisco

19

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California earned the #19 position for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 11 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Saint Marys College Of California earn around $59,760 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,041. More information about a degree in sociology from Saint Marys College Of California

20

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #20 position for sociology this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Northridge awarded about 388 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from California State University Northridge earn around $34,093 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at California State University Northridge

21

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #21 position for sociology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 167 sociology degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $35,136 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,500. Read more about the sociology program at San Diego State University

22

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 193 sociology degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $30,432. Typical student debt for the program is $13,300. More information about a degree in sociology from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

23

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton placed #23 among the best sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 334 sociology students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,714 early in their careers. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $13,917 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for California State University Fullerton

24

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 312 sociology degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $31,270 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for California State University Long Beach

25

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #25 spot for sociology this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 127 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $28,495 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at University Of California Santa Cruz