2027 Best Sociology Schools in Virginia
Sociology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best sociology schools.
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Best Schools for Sociology in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall sociology education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Sociology
University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 59 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $45,786 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full sociology program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for sociology. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 sociology students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $53,338 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000.
Read more about the sociology program at College Of William And Mary
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sociology, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 172 sociology degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $38,768. Typical student debt for the program is $22,859.
Read more about the sociology program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 42 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $31,513 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $19,168 in student loans.
See the full sociology program report for James Madison University
A rank of #5 makes George Mason University one of the top schools for sociology. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 sociology students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $38,916 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,514.
Read more about the sociology program at George Mason University
Christopher Newport University came in at #6 for sociology this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 37 sociology degrees were awarded at Christopher Newport University in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $36,977 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,548 to complete this degree.
See the full sociology program report for Christopher Newport University
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 56 sociology degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $32,781. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $26,285 in student loans.
Read more about the sociology program at Virginia Commonwealth University
University Of Mary Washington ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 19 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $35,499 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500.
See the full sociology program report for University Of Mary Washington
Old Dominion University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. About 61 sociology degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $37,946 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,100 to complete this degree.
Get the full sociology details for Old Dominion University
Longwood University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Longwood University awarded about 15 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $27,948. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full sociology program report for Longwood University
Norfolk State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. About 49 sociology degrees were awarded at Norfolk State University in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in sociology from Norfolk State University
Virginia State University landed the #12 spot for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. About 12 sociology degrees were awarded at Virginia State University in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $40,620 early in their careers. Virginia State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
See the full sociology program report for Virginia State University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 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.