Best Online Bachelor’s in Sociology Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN SOCIOLOGY

Published: Jul 7, 2021
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in sociology degree programs for students who are interested in pursuing careers in the fields of human services, public policy, and public polling.

Top 10 Online Sociology Bachelor's Degrees

University of Missouri
University of South Carolina
Florida International University
University of Louisville
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Old Dominion University
Texas Tech University
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Chico
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

University of Missouri
University of South Carolina
University of Louisville
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Texas Tech University
Florida International University
University of Central Florida
University of Memphis
University of Akron
California State University, Fullerton

New England College 100%
University of Southern Mississippi 99%
Western Kentucky University 97%
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 96%
California State University, Chico 95%
Old Dominion University 95%
University of Memphis 95%
Missouri State University 93%
Lamar University 84%
University of Akron 83%

University of Central Florida 29 to 1
Florida International University 24 to 1
California State University, Fullerton 24 to 1
Texas Tech University 21 to 1
Lamar University 20 to 1
California State University, Chico 20 to 1
Missouri State University 19 to 1
University of Missouri 18 to 1
Western Kentucky University 18 to 1
University of South Carolina 18 to 1

New England College $41,518
Drury University $33,830
LaGrange College $33,700
McKendree University $33,430
Saint Leo University $27,050
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth $14,179
University of Missouri–St. Louis $12,528
University of Louisville $12,324
University of South Carolina $12,288
Western Kentucky University $11,112

LaGrange College $21,965
Saint Leo University $18,436
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth $16,390
University of Louisville $13,944
New England College $13,678
University of South Carolina $13,374
University of Missouri–St. Louis $13,154
Western Kentucky University $12,140
Old Dominion University $10,519
University of Missouri $10,447

New England College
Drury University
Charter Oak State College
LaGrange College
University of Southern Mississippi
Missouri State University
McKendree University
University of Missouri–St. Louis
Tennessee State University
University of Central Florida

Charter Oak State College
LaGrange College
McKendree University
New England College
Saint Leo University
University of Missouri–St. Louis
Lamar University
Drury University
Missouri State University
California State University, Chico

University of Central Florida 41%
University of Missouri–St. Louis 51%
LaGrange College 59%
Drury University 63%
Florida International University 64%
University of South Carolina 64%
California State University, Fullerton 67%
Texas Tech University 67%
McKendree University 68%
University of Nebraska–Lincoln 79%

New England College 7 to 1
LaGrange College 11 to 1
Drury University 12 to 1
University of Missouri–St. Louis 13 to 1
University of Louisville 13 to 1
Charter Oak State College 13 to 1
Tennessee State University 14 to 1
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 15 to 1
University of Southern Mississippi 15 to 1
Old Dominion University 16 to 1

University of Central Florida $4,478
Florida International University $4,721
California State University, Fullerton $5,742
California State University, Chico $5,742
Lamar University $6,228
Tennessee State University $7,128
Old Dominion University $7,239
Missouri State University $7,476
Charter Oak State College $7,656
University of Nebraska–Lincoln $7,770

Missouri State University $5,994
University of Nebraska–Lincoln $6,138
Lamar University $6,471
University of Central Florida $6,916
Texas Tech University $6,956
California State University, Fullerton $7,176
California State University, Chico $7,176
Drury University $7,587
University of Akron $7,958
Florida International University $9,119

Key Takeaways

Earning an online bachelor’s degree in sociology gives you a deeper understanding of society, human behaviors, and social groups.
A sociology degree online helps you develop skills in quantitative reasoning, statistical analysis, and complex problem-solving so you can work in sociology-related fields that heavily rely on this versatile skill set.
Sociology students learn about the history and evolution of civilizations, how social conflict and revolutions alter interaction, and the impact of armed conflicts, economic inequality, and criminal eccentricity.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Are You A Great Fit for an Online Bachelor’s in Sociology Program?

Just like a psychology degree, a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS) in sociology is a very versatile degree, providing a student with all the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue their professional endeavors in education, crime and law, non-profit organizations, medicine and health, and many more.

An online bachelor’s in sociology introduces students to the history, development, and modern-day expressions of the field. Students receive broad-based instructions in the liberal arts field, with a strong emphasis on the norms, values, and social factors that affect collective human behaviors over time.

Most sociology programs also explore assessing individual instances of human behavior and applying those findings to larger issues like gender, race, family structure, and national identity.

Online Bachelor’s in Sociology Core Curricula

Sociological Theory: This course will cover the philosophical roots of social theories and how they have developed over time. This course also covers topics like approaches to human nature, conflict, the structure and functioning of social groups, cohesion and social control, and articulation of the society and of an individual.

Research Methods in Sociology: This is an introduction to research design and measurement techniques. Students assess existing research, create a research project, and study the data using SPSS statistics.

Social Inequality: This course looks at major theoretical approaches to the study of empirical research on income, wealth, race, gender gratification, and social inequality. Assignments and lectures will mostly cover contemporary and classical sociological theories, the US class structure, comparative analyses of the structure, and the global outlook on poverty, social mobility, and wealth.

Common Careers in Sociology Degree Holders

Sociologists: These professionals use their research skills and behavioral analysis in addressing pressing social issues. In most cases, they generate research projects to gauge theories, using inductive and deductive reasoning techniques in interpreting data and drawing conclusions.

Sociologists usually collaborate with other scientists, policy experts, and researchers to come up with solutions that will improve social and cultural institutions. They usually work full-time within colleges and universities, nonprofits, and other socially minded organizations.

Training and Development Specialists: Training and development specialists create and implement programs that are designed to boost the efficiency and productivity of an employee. These professionals usually assess needs using targeted surveys, and evaluate current programs based on the organization’s needs and preferred outcomes.

Normally, training specialists work full-time during regular business and working hours. At times, they travel to meet with potential clients or to go to training sites. Most of these professionals are found in larger organizations and businesses, although there are also some that practice independently as consultants.

Survey Researchers: These professionals are usually employed in businesses, social services, or the government. Their primary job is to conduct surveys and use statistical software in analyzing data, including public opinion polls and demographic information.

Market Research Analysts: These professionals use their skills in data analysis, collection, and forecasting of market conditions to predict how a specific product or service might do with consumers. They make sales and marketing forecasts, create surveys and questionnaires, measure marketing effectiveness, and collect primary data from customers.

Human Resource Managers: HR managers manage an organization’s administrative functions to guarantee that it runs smoothly. These professionals often work on staffing management and operations, posting job listings, interviewing potential new employees, and making decisions around hiring. They can also coordinate employee benefits and check disciplinary procedures.

Social and Community Service Managers: Whether for a government or nonprofit entity, social and community service managers make and manage programs supporting local communities and providing these communities with all the services they need. They will look for ways to enhance offerings by collecting data and conducting surveys from participants.

Public Relations Specialists: PR specialists are usually seen working with organizations or individuals in making, maintaining, and improving the public images of the latter. They frequently create press releases and other promotional materials, coach their clients on public speaking, manage social media outreach, and other means to improve their client’s public image.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sociology Degrees

Earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology can help prepare you for careers in an array of fields including human services, public policy, and public polling.

Students will explore topics like critical social theory, society and political systems, and research methods. Many programs offer concentration options, such as urban sociology or sociology of the law, so that students can tailor their education to their specific career goals and interests.

The bachelor’s degree in sociology usually takes about four years to complete and consists of about 120 credits. Students typically have the option to pursue this degree either online or on campus.

Graduates will qualify to pursue careers as public relations specialists, human resources managers, social workers, and market research analysts.

Learn more about how to major in sociology.

How do we determine the best online sociology bachelor's degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Ranking the Top Online Undergraduate Degree in Sociology Programs

The online sociology degree program options provided on this list are aimed to produce competent graduates, which is why all these schools maintain stringent requirements for admission, graduation, and retention.

Aside from the online programs and core courses of these online sociology degree programs, these schools offer extensive curricula and rigorous coursework. This results in producing competent sociology majors and professionals that are experts in the research methods, human behavior, and human resources principles that enable them to thrive in the field.

Each school and sociology program in this list of the best online bachelor’s in sociology also feature top-notch instructors and experienced specialists in the field. Other crucial data in the listing is the school’s tuition rates and student aid options.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Sociology Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Sociology Degree

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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

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Managers, All Other	3.35%	$106,040
Sociologists	3.03%	$90,231
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	3.33%	$79,290
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other	2.60%	$73,512
Social Science Research Assistants	4.65%	$50,585

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$52,427	$85,708	$137,798

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#2 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$123,115
#3 Texas	10% higher than average	$90,751
#4 Illinois	7% higher than average	$92,763
#5 Delaware	2% higher than average	$101,555
#6 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$95,640
#7 Virginia	5% higher than average	$92,922
#8 Missouri	16% higher than average	$81,572
#9 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$85,235
#10 New York	5% higher than average	$100,243
#11 Alabama	13% higher than average	$82,294
#12 Colorado	3% higher than average	$96,866
#13 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$115,463
#14 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$88,714
#15 North Dakota	average	$92,750
#16 Ohio	14% higher than average	$79,129
#17 Michigan	15% higher than average	$77,468
#18 Georgia	13% higher than average	$79,028
#19 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$86,024
#20 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$77,046
#21 California	26% higher than average	$112,380
#22 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$100,985
#23 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$78,437
#24 Alaska	23% higher than average	$108,210
#25 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$80,706
#26 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$80,925
#27 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$70,727
#28 Arizona	5% higher than average	$81,838
#29 Nevada	5% higher than average	$89,625
#30 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$96,382
#31 Iowa	9% higher than average	$77,502
#32 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$79,350
#33 Kansas	9% higher than average	$76,751
#34 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$77,374
#35 Utah	4% higher than average	$79,709
#36 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$115,540
#37 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$69,664
#38 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$77,298
#39 Oregon	11% higher than average	$91,136
#40 Idaho	7% higher than average	$75,835
#41 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$69,866
#42 Washington	7% higher than average	$85,656
#43 Montana	3% higher than average	$76,955
#44 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$68,959
#45 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$71,342
#46 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$91,498
#47 Florida	6% higher than average	$70,445
#48 Vermont	13% higher than average	$83,152
#49 Maryland	18% higher than average	$86,690
#50 Indiana	11% higher than average	$65,056
#51 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$101,759
#52 Maine	9% higher than average	$73,887

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Managers, All Other	$106,040
Sociologists	$90,231
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	$79,290
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other	$73,512
Social Science Research Assistants	$50,585

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Online Sociology Programs Looking for You

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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Best Online Bachelor’s in Sociology Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Top 10 Online Sociology Bachelor's Degrees

Key Takeaways

Featured Programs

Are You A Great Fit for an Online Bachelor’s in Sociology Program?

Online Bachelor’s in Sociology Core Curricula

Common Careers in Sociology Degree Holders

Frequently Asked Questions About Sociology Degrees

Why get a bachelor’s in sociology?

What will you learn while getting a bachelor’s in sociology?

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s in sociology?

What can you do with a bachelor’s in sociology?

Ranking the Top Online Undergraduate Degree in Sociology Programs

Best Online Bachelor’s in Sociology Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of Missouri

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of South Carolina

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Florida International University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of Louisville

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Old Dominion University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Texas Tech University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at California State University, Fullerton

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at California State University, Chico

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of Akron

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Lamar University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Saint Leo University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Western Kentucky University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of Memphis

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of Central Florida

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Tennessee State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of Missouri–St. Louis

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at McKendree University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Missouri State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at University of Southern Mississippi

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at LaGrange College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Charter Oak State College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at Drury University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Sociology degree at New England College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with Sociology Degree

Sociology

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Career Salaries

Average Career Salaries

Promising Job Markets

Top Industries

Online Sociology Programs Looking for You

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from an online college course?+

Is online college easier than campus-based college?+

Why does accreditation matter in online college?+