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

    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: $67,016
    Expenses: $21,704
    Starting Salary: $40,816
    Salary after 4 years: $55,745
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Wesleyan University Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  2. #2

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA

    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: $67,280
    Expenses: $20,360
    Starting Salary: $53,628
    Salary after 4 years: $73,242
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Amherst College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  3. #3

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA

    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: $62,412
    Expenses: $21,691
    Starting Salary: $45,065
    Salary after 4 years: $61,548
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Swarthmore College Sociology Majors

    • BA Sociology
    • Special Major: Political Sociology

    Source

  4. #5

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA

    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: $64,860
    Expenses: $20,000
    Starting Salary: $57,812
    Salary after 4 years: $78,958
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Williams College Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  5. #6

    Smith College

    Northampton , MA

    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: $61,568
    Expenses: $24,462
    Starting Salary: $32,898
    Salary after 4 years: $44,930
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Smith College Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  6. #7

    Oberlin College

    Oberlin , OH

    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: $64,646
    Expenses: $22,758
    Starting Salary: $29,292
    Salary after 4 years: $40,006
    Cost Recoup Time: 25 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Oberlin College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  7. #8

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley , MA

    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: $64,320
    Expenses: $21,970
    Starting Salary: $46,224
    Salary after 4 years: $63,131
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Wellesley College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  8. #9

    Barnard College

    New York , NY

    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: $66,246
    Expenses: $23,562
    Starting Salary: $44,872
    Salary after 4 years: $61,284
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Barnard College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  9. #10

    Vassar College

    Poughkeepsie , NY

    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: $67,805
    Expenses: $19,665
    Starting Salary: $39,593
    Salary after 4 years: $54,074
    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

  10. #11

    San Francisco State University

    San Francisco , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    30K

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at San Francisco State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,424
    Expenses: $23,032
    Starting Salary: $38,145
    Salary after 4 years: $48,399
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    San Francisco State University Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  11. #12

    Reed College

    Portland , OR

    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: $67,020
    Expenses: $19,520
    Starting Salary: $33,928
    Salary after 4 years: $46,337
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Reed College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  12. #13

    Haverford College

    Haverford , PA

    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: $68,020
    Expenses: $22,082
    Starting Salary: $48,349
    Salary after 4 years: $66,032
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 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

  13. #14

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA

    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: $62,326
    Expenses: $22,974
    Starting Salary: $49,765
    Salary after 4 years: $67,967
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Pomona College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  14. #15

    Bowdoin College

    Brunswick , ME

    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: $64,910
    Expenses: $20,190
    Starting Salary: $53,628
    Salary after 4 years: $73,242
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Bowdoin College Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  15. #16

    Middlebury College

    Middlebury , VT

    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: $65,280
    Expenses: $20,600
    Starting Salary: $46,288
    Salary after 4 years: $63,219
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Middlebury College Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  16. #17

    Colgate University

    Hamilton , NY

    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: $67,024
    Expenses: $20,046
    Starting Salary: $52,211
    Salary after 4 years: $71,308
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Colgate University Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  17. #18

    Carleton College

    Northfield , MN

    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: $65,457
    Expenses: $19,436
    Starting Salary: $43,713
    Salary after 4 years: $59,702
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Carleton College Sociology Major

    • Combined Major: Sociology and Anthropology (SOAN)

    Source

  18. #19

    Kenyon College

    Gambier , OH

    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: $69,330
    Expenses: $18,260
    Starting Salary: $35,087
    Salary after 4 years: $47,920
    Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Kenyon College Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  19. #20

    Colorado College

    Colorado Springs , CO

    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: $67,932
    Expenses: $19,196
    Starting Salary: $32,125
    Salary after 4 years: $43,875
    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

  20. #21

    Davidson College

    Davidson , NC

    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: $60,050
    Expenses: $19,175
    Starting Salary: $45,773
    Salary after 4 years: $62,515
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Davidson College Sociology Major

    • AB Sociology

    Source

  21. #22

    Macalester College

    Saint Paul , MN

    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: $64,908
    Expenses: $18,083
    Starting Salary: $35,923
    Salary after 4 years: $49,063
    Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Macalester College Sociology Major

    • Sociology

    Source

  22. #23

    Pitzer College

    Claremont , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Pitzer College

    Cost of Degree: $62,692
    Expenses: $23,774
    Starting Salary: $33,155
    Salary after 4 years: $45,282
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Pitzer College Sociology Major

    • BA 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: $63,434
    Expenses: $23,798
    Starting Salary: $39,786
    Salary after 4 years: $54,338
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 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. 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: $11,075
    Expenses: $21,246
    Starting Salary: $51,813
    Salary after 4 years: $65,742
    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*: $10,651
  • Avg. Expenses*: $17,673
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $33,930
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $43,052
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 12 years
  • Job Growth: 5.74%
  • Number of Jobs: 1,339,400
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Managers, All Other5.75%$133,560
Sociologists9.09%$101,770
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary3.11%$82,670
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other2.46%$77,750
Social Science Research Assistants6.40%$56,400

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Managers, All Other$133,560
Sociologists$101,770
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary$82,670

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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