2027 Best Sociology Schools in Illinois
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.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best sociology schools.
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Best Schools for Sociology in Illinois
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.
Top Schools in Sociology
Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for sociology. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 39 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
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A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for sociology. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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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Loyola University Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $34,004. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $31,548 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,154 in student loans.
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University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 39 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,435. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $19,315 in student loans.
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Illinois State University earned the #6 position for sociology this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 81 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $33,636 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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Depaul University earned the #7 position for sociology this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 33 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $33,644 in their early career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in sociology from Depaul University
Northern Illinois University came in at #8 for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $35,150 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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North Central College placed #9 among the best sociology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Naperville. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 13 sociology degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $29,714 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Western Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Illinois University awarded about 25 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Western Illinois University earn around $47,926 in the first couple years of their career. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $30,478 in student loans.
More information about a degree in sociology from Western Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #11 for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 25 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $35,415 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in sociology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Eastern Illinois University landed the #12 spot for sociology this year. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. About 13 sociology degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $39,547. Students borrow a median of $25,817 to complete this degree.
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Mckendree University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 17 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Mckendree University in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of $40,015 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full sociology program report for Mckendree University
Dominican University landed the #14 spot for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 12 sociology degrees were awarded at Dominican University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $31,657 in their early career. Dominican University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.