by our College Data Analytics TeamSociology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 111 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for sociology students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in sociology, based on student outcomes and program quality.
De Anza College tops our 2027 ranking of the best sociology schools. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. There were roughly 38 sociology students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271. More information about a degree in sociology from De Anza College
A rank of #2 makes Diablo Valley College one of the top schools for sociology. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 31 sociology degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at Diablo Valley College
A rank of #3 makes College Of San Mateo one of the top schools for sociology. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. About 16 sociology degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for College Of San Mateo
Orange Coast College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sociology, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 33 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $46,306 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. More information about a degree in sociology from Orange Coast College
Ohlone Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sociology, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the city of Fremont. There were roughly 28 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Ohlone Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Ohlone Community College generally make around $22,545. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Ohlone Community College
College Of The Canyons earned the #6 position for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. About 46 sociology degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at College Of The Canyons
West Valley College earned the #7 position for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. There were roughly 27 sociology students who graduated with this degree at West Valley College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from West Valley College earn around $25,378 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for West Valley College
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #8 among the best sociology schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 45 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $80,047 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Santa Rosa Junior College
Cerritos College came in at #9 for sociology this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. About 93 sociology degrees were awarded at Cerritos College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Cerritos College graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Cerritos College
Foothill College came in at #10 for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 31 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $94,152 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at Foothill College
East Los Angeles College placed #11 among the best sociology schools. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. About 96 sociology degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $33,595 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for East Los Angeles College
Fresno City College came in at #12 for sociology this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. There were roughly 49 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Fresno City College earn around $37,470 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,234. More information about a degree in sociology from Fresno City College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #13 position for sociology this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. About 19 sociology degrees were awarded at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $16,893. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
Mission College came in at #14 for sociology this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. There were roughly 27 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Mission College in the most recent data year. Mission College graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Mission College
Cosumnes River College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. Cosumnes River College awarded about 43 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Cosumnes River College earn around $19,699 in the first couple years of their career. Cosumnes River College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Cosumnes River College
Merritt College came in at #16 for sociology this year. Set in the city of Oakland, Merritt College is a large public institution. There were roughly 10 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Merritt College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Merritt College
American River College earned the #17 position for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. American River College awarded about 35 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $76,077 in their early career. American River College graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for American River College
Santa Barbara City College placed #18 among the best sociology schools. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. There were roughly 81 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $68,184 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Santa Barbara City College
Santa Ana College earned the #19 position for sociology this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. About 46 sociology degrees were awarded at Santa Ana College in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $39,633 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,196. Read more about the sociology program at Santa Ana College
Santa Monica College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Santa Monica College graduates 81% of students within six years. About 93 sociology degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. See the full sociology program report for Santa Monica College
Modesto Junior College earned the #21 position for sociology this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. About 60 sociology degrees were awarded at Modesto Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Modesto Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from Modesto Junior College
Cypress College earned the #22 position for sociology this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 47 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Cypress College in the most recent data year. Read more about the sociology program at Cypress College
Cuesta College earned the #23 position for sociology this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. Cuesta College awarded about 23 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Cuesta College
Oxnard College placed #24 among the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Oxnard College awarded about 46 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full sociology details for Oxnard College
Mt San Antonio College earned the #25 position for sociology this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. There were roughly 192 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Typical student debt for the program is $9,384. Get the full sociology details for Mt San Antonio College
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong sociology education:
Explore the best sociology schools at other degree levels:
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 · 111 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.