Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees 2025

Badge for BEST FOR SOCIOLOGY LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

The best sociology liberal arts colleges are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best sociology degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding sociology faculty.

Key Takeaways

  • Some of the best liberal arts colleges for sociology degrees have concentrations such as political sociology, social justice, and Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.
  • Many of the best liberal arts colleges for sociology degrees have rich histories that enrich students’ academic experience.
  • The best liberal arts colleges for sociology degrees are constantly making updates and improvements to their curriculum.

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, our ranking of the top ten liberal arts colleges for sociology degrees saw a fair amount of change. Oberlin College gained the most ranking positions as a result of the college updating its curriculum to include more interdisciplinary courses that explore the intersection of sociology with environmental justice, public policy, and global inequality. Oberlin has also strengthened its partnerships with local community organizations, offering sociology students more opportunities for community-based research and internships in social advocacy, nonprofit management, and public service. Additionally, the sociology department has introduced new research labs focused on social movements and digital sociology, providing students with hands-on experience in analyzing contemporary social issues. These developments enhance the program’s focus on both academic and practical applications of sociology.

Related: How to Major in Sociology

If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in sociology.

Featured Programs

Ranking: Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Bachelor’s Degree Programs

  1. #1

    Wesleyan University

    Middletown , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/32

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $64,022
    Expenses: $20,850
    Starting Salary: $39,057
    Salary after 4 years: $55,970
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Wesleyan University Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  2. #2

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1485/33

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Amherst College

    Cost of Degree: $64,100
    Expenses: $19,550
    Starting Salary: $51,316
    Salary after 4 years: $73,538
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Amherst College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  3. #3

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/33

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Swarthmore College

    Cost of Degree: $59,328
    Expenses: $20,686
    Starting Salary: $43,123
    Salary after 4 years: $61,797
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Swarthmore College Sociology Majors

    • BA Sociology
    • Special Major: Political Sociology

    Source

  4. Other Rankings

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1335/30

    United States Military Academy Sociology Majors

    • Sociology

    Source

  5. #5

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1525/34

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Williams College

    Cost of Degree: $61,770
    Expenses: $19,230
    Starting Salary: $55,321
    Salary after 4 years: $79,277
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Williams College Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  6. #6

    Smith College

    Northampton , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    23%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1445/32

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Smith College

    Cost of Degree: $58,768
    Expenses: $23,366
    Starting Salary: $31,480
    Salary after 4 years: $45,112
    Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Smith College Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  7. #7

    Oberlin College

    Oberlin , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    35%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1445/31

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Oberlin College

    Cost of Degree: $62,024
    Expenses: $22,206
    Starting Salary: $28,030
    Salary after 4 years: $40,168
    Cost Recoup Time: 24 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Oberlin College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  8. #8

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/34

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Wellesley College

    Cost of Degree: $61,920
    Expenses: $21,130
    Starting Salary: $44,232
    Salary after 4 years: $63,386
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Wellesley College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  9. #9

    Barnard College

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/33

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Barnard College

    Cost of Degree: $62,525
    Expenses: $21,884
    Starting Salary: $42,938
    Salary after 4 years: $61,532
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Barnard College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  10. #10

    Vassar College

    Poughkeepsie , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1482/33

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Vassar College

    Cost of Degree: $64,800
    Expenses: $18,810
    Starting Salary: $37,887
    Salary after 4 years: $54,293
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Vassar College Sociology Major Subfields

    • Theory
    • Inequality and Difference
    • Culture
    • Social Justice
    • Policy
    • Globalization

    Source

  11. #11

    San Francisco State University

    San Francisco , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    30K

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at San Francisco State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,524
    Expenses: $21,601
    Starting Salary: $35,900
    Salary after 4 years: $48,471
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    San Francisco State University Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  12. #12

    Reed College

    Portland , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    31%

    Graduation

    80%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1410/31

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Reed College

    Cost of Degree: $64,760
    Expenses: $18,550
    Starting Salary: $32,465
    Salary after 4 years: $46,524
    Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Reed College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  13. #13

    Haverford College

    Haverford , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1485/34

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Haverford College

    Cost of Degree: $63,348
    Expenses: $21,120
    Starting Salary: $46,265
    Salary after 4 years: $66,299
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Haverford College Sociology Major Concentrations

    • Peace, Justice, and Human Rights
    • Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies
    • African and Africana Studies
    • Gender and Sexuality Studies

    Source

  14. #14

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Pomona College

    Cost of Degree: $59,238
    Expenses: $21,958
    Starting Salary: $47,620
    Salary after 4 years: $68,242
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Pomona College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  15. #15

    Bowdoin College

    Brunswick , ME
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/34

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Bowdoin College

    Cost of Degree: $61,528
    Expenses: $18,862
    Starting Salary: $51,316
    Salary after 4 years: $73,538
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Bowdoin College Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  16. #16

    Middlebury College

    Middlebury , VT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1482/34

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Middlebury College

    Cost of Degree: $62,460
    Expenses: $19,800
    Starting Salary: $44,293
    Salary after 4 years: $63,474
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Middlebury College Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  17. #17

    Colgate University

    Hamilton , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1470/33

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Colgate University

    Cost of Degree: $64,290
    Expenses: $19,360
    Starting Salary: $49,961
    Salary after 4 years: $71,596
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Colgate University Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  18. #18

    Carleton College

    Northfield , MN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/33

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Carleton College

    Cost of Degree: $62,634
    Expenses: $18,716
    Starting Salary: $41,829
    Salary after 4 years: $59,943
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Carleton College Sociology Major

    • Combined Major: Sociology and Anthropology (SOAN)

    Source

  19. #19

    Kenyon College

    Gambier , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $66K

    Acceptance

    34%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1432/32

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Kenyon College

    Cost of Degree: $66,490
    Expenses: $17,310
    Starting Salary: $33,574
    Salary after 4 years: $48,113
    Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Kenyon College Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  20. #20

    Colorado College

    Colorado Springs , CO
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    16%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1370/31

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Colorado College

    Cost of Degree: $65,028
    Expenses: $18,200
    Starting Salary: $30,741
    Salary after 4 years: $44,052
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Colorado College Sociology Major Concentrations

    • Research Methods and Data Analysis
    • Health and Society

    Source

  21. #21

    Davidson College

    Davidson , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1425/32

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Davidson College

    Cost of Degree: $57,090
    Expenses: $18,525
    Starting Salary: $43,801
    Salary after 4 years: $62,768
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Davidson College Sociology Major

    • AB Sociology

    Source

  22. #22

    Macalester College

    Saint Paul , MN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    28%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1420/32

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Macalester College

    Cost of Degree: $62,500
    Expenses: $16,400
    Starting Salary: $34,375
    Salary after 4 years: $49,261
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Macalester College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  23. #24

    Scripps College

    Claremont , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    28%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1450/33

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Scripps College

    Cost of Degree: $60,712
    Expenses: $22,618
    Starting Salary: $38,071
    Salary after 4 years: $54,558
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Scripps College Sociology Majors

    • Interdisciplinary Studies in Culture
    • Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality
    • Science, Technology, and Society

    Source

  24. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    30%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    23K

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

    Cost of Degree: $10,319
    Expenses: $19,599
    Starting Salary: $48,764
    Salary after 4 years: $65,839
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo known for?

    California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Sociology Major Concentrations

    • Criminal Justice
    • Individualized Study
    • Organizations
    • Social Services

    Source

Career Outlook for Students with Sociology Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Sociology

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,325
  • Avg. Expenses*: $16,771
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $31,920
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $43,098
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 12 years
  • Job Growth: 3.38%
  • Number of Jobs: 1,281,000
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Managers, All Other3.35%$106,040
Sociologists3.03%$90,231
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary3.33%$79,290
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other2.60%$73,512
Social Science Research Assistants4.65%$50,585

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$52,427$85,708$137,798

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 Rhode Island20% higher than average$123,115
#3 Texas10% higher than average$90,751
#4 Illinois7% higher than average$92,763
#5 Delaware2% higher than average$101,555
#6 Wyoming2% higher than average$95,640

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Managers, All Other$106,040
Sociologists$90,231
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary$79,290

A bachelor’s degree in sociology is an excellent starting point for a career in public service, policy development, activism and a host of other socially conscious fields. The sociology degree centers on how systems like families, groups, and communities intersect. Sociology also concerns the way human beings relate to one another over matters of religion, culture, race, gender, and more. Sociology students will learn how to conduct research, study populations, and understand how these populations are impacted by factors like geography, race, economics, and more. The best schools for sociology are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of sociology concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology programs

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