2026 Best Sociology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Sociology bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1161 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Sociology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Claremont Mckenna College this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. Claremont Mckenna College graduates 91% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,980. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Sociology program here. More on Claremont Mckenna College
Out of the 1161 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Duke University landed the #2 spot. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Typical Sociology student debt is $13,296. Read the full report on Duke University
You'll be in good company at Williams College, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Williams College Sociology students take on a median of $12,615 in debt. More on Williams College
A rank of #4 makes Rice University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Read more about Rice University
A rank of #5 makes Princeton University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical Sociology student debt is $10,888. Read the full report on Princeton University
Dartmouth College landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Set in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. The median Sociology program debt is $19,250. Read the full report on Dartmouth College
Vanderbilt University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Depauw University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Greencastle, IN, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,070. The median Sociology program debt is $26,174. Get the full Depauw University report
Yale University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. More on Yale University
Northwestern University placed #10 among Sociology schools in the United States. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $14,567 in student loans. Read more about Northwestern University
University Of Notre Dame landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. About 95% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Colgate University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. Set in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Colgate University Sociology students take on a median of $16,286 in debt. Read the full report on Colgate University
Pomona College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Claremont, CA, Pomona College is a private not-for-profit institution. Pomona College graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,420. See the full Pomona College profile
University Of Pennsylvania placed #14 among Sociology schools in the United States. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $11,600 in student loans. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Stanford University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Sociology program here. Read more about Stanford University
Harvard University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Sociology program here. See the full Harvard University profile
Amherst College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in Amherst, MA, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Amherst College posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete their Sociology program here. Read more about Amherst College
University Of California Berkeley placed #18 among Sociology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Sociology student debt is $13,131. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
University Of Chicago came in at #19 in this year's ranking. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. More on University Of Chicago
Johns Hopkins University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. The median Sociology program debt is $13,426. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Wake Forest University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. More on Wake Forest University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete their Sociology program here. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Bates College placed #23 among Sociology schools in the United States. Set in Lewiston, ME, Bates College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,590. Graduates carry a median of $12,610 in student loans. Get the full Bates College report
Barnard College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,899 to complete their Sociology program here. More on Barnard College
Bowdoin College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Bowdoin College is a private not-for-profit school based in Brunswick, ME. Bowdoin College posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,832. The median Sociology program debt is $20,658. See the full Bowdoin College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Sociology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Cornell University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Students borrow a median of $11,900 to complete their Sociology program here. Get the full Cornell University report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete their Sociology program here. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Georgetown University placed #28 among Sociology schools in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Georgetown University Sociology students take on a median of $13,266 in debt. See the full Georgetown University profile
Augustana College South Dakota came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,160. Typical Sociology student debt is $26,217. Read more about Augustana College South Dakota
Villanova University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Villanova, PA. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. The median Sociology program debt is $26,184. Get the full Villanova University report
Gettysburg College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Set in Gettysburg, PA, Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,640. Graduates carry a median of $22,747 in student loans. More on Gettysburg College
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. The median Sociology program debt is $31,000. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Wellesley College did well this year, earning the #33 position. Located in Wellesley, MA, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. The median Sociology program debt is $11,075. More on Wellesley College
Haverford College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Set in Haverford, PA, Haverford College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,398. Get the full Haverford College report
Bucknell University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Set in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,812. Typical Sociology student debt is $25,951. Read more about Bucknell University
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Sociology students take on a median of $17,802 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. University Of California Los Angeles Sociology students take on a median of $14,500 in debt. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
Washington University In St Louis placed #38 among Sociology schools in the United States. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical Sociology student debt is $17,553. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
Park University did well this year, earning the #39 position. Based in Parkville, MO, Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Park University Sociology students take on a median of $22,112 in debt. More on Park University
Trinity College did well this year, earning the #40 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hartford, CT. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,770 in tuition and fees. The median Sociology program debt is $23,667. Read more about Trinity College
Hamilton College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. Located in Clinton, NY, Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit institution. Hamilton College graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,960. Graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Read the full report on Hamilton College
College Of William And Mary did well this year, earning the #42 position. College Of William And Mary is a public school based in Williamsburg, VA. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Typical Sociology student debt is $14,000. Get the full College Of William And Mary report
College Of Saint Benedict ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. Based in Saint Joseph, MN, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. College Of Saint Benedict posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. In-state tuition and fees average $55,756. Typical Sociology student debt is $26,619. Read the full report on College Of Saint Benedict
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #44 among Sociology schools in the United States. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical Sociology student debt is $16,750. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile
American Public University System ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. This private for-profit school is set in Charles Town, WV. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Graduates carry a median of $29,278 in student loans. See the full American Public University System profile
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Aliso Viejo, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,540. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System Sociology students take on a median of $30,273 in debt. Read more about Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $19,286 to complete their Sociology program here. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
University Of Southern California ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,324 to complete their Sociology program here. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Santa Clara University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Clara, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Typical Sociology student debt is $20,144. Get the full Santa Clara University report
College Of The Holy Cross did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Worcester, MA, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. Typical Sociology student debt is $26,449. Read more about College Of The Holy Cross
Related Sociology Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Sociology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Sociology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Sociology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Sociology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Sociology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Sociology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1161 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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