2026 Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Sociology master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1161 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Teachers College At Columbia University to be the best Sociology school in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Teachers College At Columbia University
A rank of #2 makes Duke University one of the top choices in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. About 97% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical Sociology student debt is $13,296. See the full Duke University profile
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Graduate School And University Center one of the top choices in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete their Sociology program here. More on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Out of the 1161 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Rice University landed the #4 spot. Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Rice University Sociology students take on a median of $11,904 in debt. Read more about Rice University
You'll be in good company at Princeton University, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical Sociology student debt is $10,888. Get the full Princeton University report
Stanford University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Stanford University Sociology students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Read more about Stanford University
Yale University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. The median Sociology program debt is $14,357. Read more about Yale University
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. The median Sociology program debt is $13,975. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
University Of Notre Dame landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. The median Sociology program debt is $19,800. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Johns Hopkins University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. More on Johns Hopkins University
Harvard University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. The median Sociology program debt is $16,616. More on Harvard University
Northwestern University placed #12 among Sociology schools in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Northwestern University Sociology students take on a median of $14,567 in debt. Get the full Northwestern University report
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. The median Sociology program debt is $11,600. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #14 position. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical Sociology student debt is $13,131. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #15 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Students borrow a median of $11,900 to complete their Sociology program here. Read the full report on Cornell University
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #16 position. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical Sociology student debt is $31,000. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #17 among Sociology schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,802 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. North Dakota State University Main Campus Sociology students take on a median of $27,750 in debt. More on North Dakota State University Main Campus
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete their Sociology program here. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #20 position. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. The median Sociology program debt is $20,460. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical Sociology student debt is $20,500. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
University Of California Irvine did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. University Of California Irvine Sociology students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
Boston College placed #23 among Sociology schools in the United States. Set in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. The median Sociology program debt is $19,000. Get the full Boston College report
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Provo, UT, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Brigham Young University Provo posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,688. The median Sociology program debt is $14,000. Read more about Brigham Young University Provo
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical Sociology student debt is $14,500. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Rest of the Top 50 Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #26 position. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Sociology students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $18,568 in student loans. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $19,286 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Emory University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Typical Sociology student debt is $20,500. See the full Emory University profile
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #30 among Sociology schools in the United States. Based in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical Sociology student debt is $27,000. See the full Minnesota State University Mankato profile
Ashford University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 10% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,960. The median Sociology program debt is $39,041. Get the full Ashford University report
New York University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. The median Sociology program debt is $18,875. See the full New York University profile
South Dakota State University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Brookings, SD, South Dakota State University is a public institution. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical Sociology student debt is $26,000. Get the full South Dakota State University report
Iowa State University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. About 75% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $21,935 to complete their Sociology program here. Read more about Iowa State University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Sociology students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee report
University Of California San Diego placed #36 among Sociology schools in the United States. Based in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical Sociology student debt is $14,413. More on University Of California San Diego
Illinois State University placed #37 among Sociology schools in the United States. Located in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Illinois State University Sociology students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. More on Illinois State University
San Jose State University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. See the full San Jose State University profile
Valdosta State University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. Located in Valdosta, GA, Valdosta State University is a public institution. Valdosta State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical Sociology student debt is $28,661. More on Valdosta State University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical Sociology student debt is $21,154. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical Sociology student debt is $21,739. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Chicago ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Sociology program here. Read more about University Of Chicago
University Of Delaware placed #43 among Sociology schools in the United States. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Graduates carry a median of $24,661 in student loans. Read more about University Of Delaware
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #44 position. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,600 in student loans. See the full University Of California Davis profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
George Washington University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete their Sociology program here. Get the full George Washington University report
American University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Sociology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. American University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. American University Sociology students take on a median of $24,139 in debt. See the full American University profile
Suny At Binghamton placed #48 among Sociology schools in the United States. Based in Vestal, NY, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Read more about Suny At Binghamton
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #49 position. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. The median Sociology program debt is $24,750. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #50 in this year's ranking. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public school based in Houston, TX. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates 52% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. University Of Houston Clear Lake Sociology students take on a median of $21,100 in debt. Read more about University Of Houston Clear Lake
Related Sociology Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Sociology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Sociology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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