Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees

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.

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Sociology Programs

Sort by:
  1. Wesleyan University
  2. Swarthmore College
  3. Wellesley College
  4. Pomona College
  5. Amherst College
  6. Williams College
  7. Bowdoin College
  8. Middlebury College
  9. Barnard College
  10. Colgate University
  1. Wesleyan University
  2. Amherst College
  3. United States Military Academy
  4. Oberlin College
  5. Williams College
  6. Swarthmore College
  7. Smith College
  8. Wellesley College
  9. Vassar College
  10. Barnard College
  1. San Francisco State University 93%
  2. Reed College 44%
  3. Kenyon College 37%
  4. Oberlin College 34%
  5. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 33%
  6. Macalester College 31%
  7. Smith College 30%
  8. Scripps College 30%
  9. Vassar College 20%
  10. Wesleyan University 19%
  1. San Francisco State University 22 to 1
  2. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 21 to 1
  3. Macalester College 10 to 1
  4. Colorado College 9 to 1
  5. Reed College 9 to 1
  6. Pitzer College 9 to 1
  7. Kenyon College 9 to 1
  8. Colgate University 9 to 1
  9. Davidson College 9 to 1
  10. Scripps College 9 to 1
  1. Kenyon College $63,310
  2. Vassar College $62,870
  3. Reed College $62,730
  4. Colorado College $62,070
  5. Wesleyan University $62,049
  6. Colgate University $61,966
  7. Haverford College $61,210
  8. Amherst College $61,150
  9. Wellesley College $60,752
  10. Macalester College $60,518
  1. Vassar College $61,940
  2. Colgate University $61,594
  3. Wesleyan University $61,449
  4. Williams College $59,728
  5. Smith College $55,830
  6. Scripps College $46,774
  7. Colorado College $34,300
  8. Oberlin College $29,692
  9. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo $7,176
  10. San Francisco State University $7,176
  1. Oberlin College
  2. Scripps College
  3. Carleton College
  4. Reed College
  5. Macalester College
  6. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  7. United States Military Academy
  8. Haverford College
  9. Vassar College
  10. Colorado College
  1. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  2. Scripps College
  3. Pitzer College
  4. Macalester College
  5. Davidson College
  6. Colorado College
  7. Kenyon College
  8. Carleton College
  9. Middlebury College
  10. Colgate University
  1. Pomona College 7%
  2. Swarthmore College 8%
  3. Amherst College 9%
  4. Williams College 9%
  5. Bowdoin College 9%
  6. Barnard College 11%
  7. United States Military Academy 11%
  8. Middlebury College 13%
  9. Colorado College 14%
  10. Wellesley College 16%
  1. Pomona College 6 to 1
  2. Williams College 6 to 1
  3. Amherst College 7 to 1
  4. Swarthmore College 7 to 1
  5. Smith College 7 to 1
  6. Wellesley College 7 to 1
  7. United States Military Academy 7 to 1
  8. Bowdoin College 8 to 1
  9. Carleton College 8 to 1
  10. Wesleyan University 8 to 1
  1. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo $5,742
  2. San Francisco State University $5,742
  3. Davidson College $55,200
  4. Swarthmore College $56,056
  5. Smith College $56,114
  6. Pomona College $56,686
  7. Pitzer College $57,978
  8. Bowdoin College $58,322
  9. Scripps College $58,442
  10. Williams College $59,660
  1. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo $7,176
  2. San Francisco State University $7,176
  3. Oberlin College $29,692
  4. Colorado College $34,300
  5. Scripps College $46,774
  6. Smith College $55,830
  7. Williams College $59,728
  8. Wesleyan University $61,449
  9. Colgate University $61,594
  10. Vassar College $61,940

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.

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Sociology Bachelor’s Degrees

Your knowledge as a sociology major can qualify you to work in a wide array of settings, from research foundations and think tanks to educational groups and government agencies. But you’ll also learn excellent communication skills, the scientific research process, and problem-solving skills. These traits are in high-demand in any workplace setting, and can qualify you to work in a wide range of professional contexts.

Sociology concerns broad and overlapping systems. Researchers, educators, community leaders and outreach groups impact the lives of countless people, families and communities through meaningful findings and actions. Today, top influencers in sociology are bringing illumination to subjects like the intersection of humans and technology, feminist and gender theory, social networking, urban sociology, and much more.

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Sociology is one of the more versatile and respected social sciences degrees. That’s because this major is inherently interdisciplinary in nature, bringing together subject areas like economics, political science, and statistical analysis. Each of these disciplines informs the way we understand complex and interwoven social systems like religious organizations, national governments, and varying ethnic groups.

The bachelor’s degree in sociology may be earned in four years, and provides a comprehensive education in demographic studies, research methodology, urban studies and more. Your undergraduate degree in sociology will qualify you for a wide range of opportunities in the field, including human resources specialist, guidance counselor, market research analyst, and more.

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Once you’ve declared your major in sociology, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized sociology electives, there are several courses that most sociology majors will be required to take, including:

  • Sociolinguistics
  • Criminal Behavior and Social Control
  • Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
  • The Practice of Social Research
  • Ethnographic Research
  • Comparative and Historical Methods
  • Epidemiological Methods
  • Analysis of Sociological Data
  • Language, Culture, and Education
  • Sociology of Gender

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Majoring in sociology can qualify you for a wide range of professional opportunities. Your communication, research, and problem-solving skills will be of value in an array of educational, administrative, and business settings. If you plan to channel your education into a sociology-specific career, consider these top jobs:

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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.

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

  1. #1

    Wesleyan University

    Middletown , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    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

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1467/32

    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

  3. #3

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    16%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    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

  4. #4

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    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

  5. #5

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/33

    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

  6. #6

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    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

  7. #7

    Bowdoin College

    Brunswick , ME
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    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

  8. #8

    Middlebury College

    Middlebury , VT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1430/32

    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

  9. #9

    Barnard College

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1434/32

    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

    Colgate University

    Hamilton , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1385/31

    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

  11. #11

    Davidson College

    Davidson , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $55K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1380/31

    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

  12. #13

    Smith College

    Northampton , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    30%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    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

  13. #14

    Kenyon College

    Gambier , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    37%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1370/31

    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

  14. #15

    San Francisco State University

    San Francisco , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1030/19

    Career Outlook for Sociology degree at San Francisco State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,524
    Expenses: $21,601
    Starting Salary: $35,930
    Salary after 4 years: $48,511
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    San Francisco State University Sociology Major

    • BA Sociology

    Source

  15. #16

    Colorado College

    Colorado Springs , CO
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    2K

    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

  16. #17

    Vassar College

    Poughkeepsie , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/33

    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

  17. #18

    Haverford College

    Haverford , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/33

    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

  18. Other Rankings

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1325/30

    United States Military Academy Sociology Majors

    • Sociology

    Source

  19. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    33%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    23K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1315/29

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

    Cost of Degree: $10,319
    Expenses: $19,599
    Starting Salary: $48,804
    Salary after 4 years: $65,893
    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

  20. #21

    Macalester College

    Saint Paul , MN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    31%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1365/31

    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

  21. #22

    Reed College

    Portland , OR
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    44%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    1K

    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

  22. #23

    Carleton College

    Northfield , MN
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1425/32

    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

  23. #24

    Scripps College

    Claremont , CA

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    30%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1400/31

    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. #25

    Oberlin College

    Oberlin , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    34%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1315/30

    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

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*: $10,306
  • Avg. Expenses*: $16,749
  • 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

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology programs

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