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What is Sociology?

Sociology is the study of society. Individuals pursuing a degree in sociology will learn to examine society through a scientific lens, extrapolating data and a identifying trends. Sociology branches into a variety of subfields, all dealing with the various facets of society and how to identify societal issues and apply possible measures to correct them. Individuals will utilize a variety of methods and techniques that  in order to perform research and utilize that information in order to complete studies and produce results based on the information gathered. Resourceful sociologists will tackle difficult information gathering problems in new ways in order to achieve their goals.

As a discipline of social science, sociologists work to make sense of the way society works.  The interworking of a society can be a highly complex, multi-faceted effort to understand the effect of one decision on multiple groups and their interactions with each other as a result of that decision.  Professional sociologists invest substantive time to observe the behavior of groups of influence including: political, religious, social, financial, economic institutions, corporations, government entities, and organizations.  Sociologists are adept at understanding on a granular level only to pivot and take a broad perspective to understand a behavior within the context of larger political, economic, and social forces.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$86,840

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

57.32%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

2,870

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Sociology Programs

As one of the best sociology departments in the nation, Princeton’s Department of Sociology offers an undergraduate degree in Sociology that tackles the social dimensions of economics, politics, psychology, history, and population dynamics. Sociology majors at Princeton are required to take nine courses within the department and these must include Introduction to Sociology, Claims and Evidence, Statistical Methods in Sociology, and Sociological Theory. During the final year, students are required to submit a senior independent work related to inequality, immigration,  poverty, race and ethnic relations, and health and well-being. The department also offers a graduate program in sociology that focuses on independent research projects and collaborations with faculty members. For more information about the program, go to sociology.princeton.edu.

Acceptance Rate

5.78

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

The Sociology Department at Harvard trains undergraduate and graduate students to create and execute original research using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The undergraduate degree in Sociology is a unique program that emphasizes multiple modes of inquiry such as ethnography and in-depth interviewing, quantitative analysis, and comparative-historical analysis. Through the faculty’s expertise, students may choose to focus their study on Chinese and East Asian studies, demography, economy and society, education, mathematical sociology, political sociology, social change and social networks, sex and gender, urban sociology, and poverty. Some of the courses in the program are Social Inequality, Sociology of Organizations, Environment and Inequality, and Ethnography of Social Movements in a Digital World. The department also offers graduate programs of study such as PhD in Sociology, PhD in Sociology and Social Policy, and PhD in Organizational Behavior. Learn more about the program at sociology.fas.harvard.edu.

Acceptance Rate

4.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Sociology majors at Yale’s Sociology Department acquire a solid background on social processes and how societies work which can be helpful in various professions in which sociology is relevant such as in the fields of public health, education, business, criminology, and urban planning. Students may choose from four Sociology degree programs that lead to a Bachelor of Arts degree. The Standard Program puts an emphasis on sociological concepts, theories, principles, and methods. The Combined Program, on the other hand, enables students to combine the study of sociology with another field to let them design their own program of study. The last two programs offer concentrations in Markets and Society and Health and Society which focuses on the socio-cultural frameworks and social institutions that shape markets and economic behavior, and affect health and medical care system, respectively. See the entire program overview at sociology.yale.edu.

Acceptance Rate

6.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

The Free-Standing Master of Arts degree in Sociology at Columbia’s Department of Sociology offers a one-year intensive training and research to students interested in pursuing careers in the field of sociology. Students are challenged to think beyond the divisions between qualitative and quantitative methods and to examine the role of sociology as a discipline which eventually builds their analytical and critical skills in the discipline. The program focuses on ethnographic methods applied to urban environments but also covers international research, topics in education, quantitative approaches, and historical projects. The required courses in the program include Sociological Theory, Field Work, a Sociology elective, and Thesis Seminar. Explore the program requirements at masters.sociology.columbia.edu.

Acceptance Rate

5.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

The Department of Sociology at Brown offers several undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in the field of sociology. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology equips students with a strong foundation in sociological theory and methods while having the opportunity to choose a more specialized area under the discipline which includes Globalization and Development, Population, Health and Family, Organizations and Economic Sociology, Race, Class, Gender and Inequality,  Urban Sociology, and Sociology of the Environment. Alternatively, students may choose to take the Organizational Studies track that tackles sociological research on work, leadership, management, and entrepreneurship. There is also an available concentration in Social Analysis and Research which focuses on the conceptual and working knowledge of the techniques and methods for the data collection and analysis of research projects in the field. See other program options at brown.edu.

Acceptance Rate

7.07

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

The Department of Sociology at Penn offers an undergraduate program in Sociology that provides students with a basic understanding of social structures, societies, and how individuals are related to those structures. Students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to identify and explain patterns of social life and human behavior, and how it affects the situations of individuals and vice versa. Offering many concentrations in different fields, students are ready to enter careers in medicine and health care, law, consulting, human resources, education, social work, government, and many more. The concentrations under the major are as follows: Applied Research and Data Analysis, Cities, Markets and the Global Economy, Culture and Diversity, Family, Gender and Society, Law and Society, Medical Sociology, Population and Immigration, and Structures of Opportunity and Inequality. Visit sociology.sas.upenn.edu to check the scope of each concentration.

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Stanford’s School of Humanities and Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology that examines different aspects of human social behavior and social dynamics of groups, organizations, communities, and societies. Recently, the school launched the Data Science, Markets and Management Track where Sociology majors interested in a more quantitative approach to study can take courses in computer programming, network analysis, big data, and experimental methods. The foundational courses in both general and data science track are Classics of Modern Social Theory, Foundations of Social Research, and Introduction to Data Analysis as well as courses in Organizations, Business, and the Economy, Social Psychology and Interpersonal Processes, Social Stratification and Inequality, and Race, Gender, Immigration, Identity, and Policy. Check the entire program description at sociology.stanford.edu.

Acceptance Rate

4.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

The University of Chicago’s Department of Sociology offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program that approaches sociological education and training comprehensively through providing a firm foundation on social frameworks and theories that can help students pursue their career goals and interests. The program offers several concentrations such as Urban Studies, Social Policy, Gender and Sexuality, Organizations, Social Analytics, and Demography where their senior thesis will be based on. The courses of the program cover social theories, methodologies, statistics, and many related areas. Read more about the program at sociology.uchicago.edu.

Acceptance Rate

6.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

The Sociology Department at Dartmouth provides unique programs in sociology that trains students in examining problems analytically and viewing the world critically. There are two types of majors in the department’s undergraduate Sociology program. The major in Sociology is the main program that requires students to finish eleven courses that cover interpersonal interactions and conflicts, behaviors of social groups, and social movements. The Modified Major in Sociology, on the other hand, allows students to study a specific issue or topic involving sociology and a related field. Both majors include courses in race, class, and gender relations, self and identity, family, social movements, law, political sociology, international studies, social change, and data analysis. Read more about two majors at sociology.dartmouth.edu.

Acceptance Rate

7.93

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The Department of Sociology at Duke aims to study the science of human relationships as well as how certain factors affect these relationships. Students in its Sociology programs are trained to use methods in answering the most pressing issues in the field using quantitative survey techniques, in-depth interviewing, and focus groups. The top ranked Bachelor of Arts in Sociology requires students to finish courses such as Sociological Inquiry, Methods of Social Research, Quantitative Analysis of Sociological Data, and Theory and Society. The department also offers minor programs in Sociology and Medical Sociology as well as a Markets and Management Certificate. For more details, visit sociology.duke.edu.

Acceptance Rate

7.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

The Department of Sociology at Bowdoin trains students to understand the role of sociology in society as well as different theoretical frameworks that form the study of sociology. The Sociology Major is a program that tackles the factors of social and cultural knowledge acquisition that can be helpful for pursuing graduate study in sociology and other fields like law, education, law enforcement, medicine, public policy, social work, and urban planning. The required courses in the major include Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Social Research, Classics of Sociological Theory, Race and Ethnicity, Quantitative Analysis in Sociology, and Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. The department also offers a Sociology Minor that consists of 5 required courses. To inquire about the programs, go to bowdoin.edu.

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The top rated Sociology major at Amherst offers a systematic approach to the study of sociology to enable students to understand the contemporary world through the use of distinctive and comprehensive methodologies. Sociology majors usually take general and advanced sociology courses as well as one anthropology course. Some of the courses in the program are Self and Society: An Introduction to Sociology, Youth, Schooling, and Popular Culture, Sociology of Work:  Discourses on Toil, Gender, Feminisms, and Education, and Social Research. View the entire program overview at amherst.edu.

Acceptance Rate

11.31

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Established in 1887, Pomona College is one of the nation’s premier private liberal arts colleges based in Claremont, California that offers a comprehensive curriculum in over 48 programs in the fields of arts, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. The college, a member of The Claremont Colleges, currently houses more than 1,700 students from all states and 59 countries.

The Sociology Major at Pomona is a program that combines theory and research in studying how societies work and how individuals and groups behave and interact. Students in the program acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in pursuing graduate study and professional careers in various fields like law, education, business, and social work. The program curriculum consists of one introductory sociology course, courses on quantitative and qualitative research methods and the history and development of sociological theories, four sociology electives, and a senior thesis. The major may also be combined with majors in Public Policy Analysis, and Gender and Women’s Studies. Read more about the program details at pomona.edu.

Acceptance Rate

7.4

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The Sociology and Anthropology Department at Swarthmore gives students the proper knowledge, skills, and tools in order to understand contemporary cultural and social issues like nationalism, globalization, sexism, and racism. The major in Sociology consists of foundational courses that provide introductions to both fields. These courses include Foundations: Culture, Power, and Meaning, and Foundations: Self, Culture, and Society. Both courses feature distinct yet complementary theories and methodologies to properly examine concepts fundamental to both fields and how they changed over time. Access the complete program overview and curriculum at swarthmore.edu.

Acceptance Rate

8.93

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

The Sociology degree at Northwestern’s Department of Sociology prepares students to work in sociology and other related fields like law, public health, finance, public administration, and many more through mastering skills and tools such as critical analysis, theory, statistical methods, and field research. The Sociology Major is designed for students who want to work in various fields as it provides an excellent background in many professions. The major emphasizes the sociological perspective as an essential part of a liberal education that can be used in understanding how the world works. Students may also take a concentration from the following: Economic Sociology and Global Development, Environment and Society, Social Data Research, Social Inequality: Class, Gender, and Race, Sociology of Health, Medicine, and Science, Sociology of Law/Law and Society, and Urban Sociology. More information can be seen at sociology.northwestern.edu.

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

The Department of Sociology at Cornell aims to address questions and issues in modern sociology by studying theoretical concepts and methods. The Sociology Major integrates sociological theories, principles, perspectives, methods, and analysis as well as other related fields that interest students. Students may choose to combine their sociology major with a major or minor in another field. There is also an Honors program, also called an independent study, for majors interested in conducting original research. The required courses in the program include Introduction to Sociology, Evaluating Statistical Evidence, Classical Sociological Theory, and Contemporary Sociological Theory. To see the entire program description, go to sociology.cornell.edu.

Acceptance Rate

10.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The Anthroplogy and Sociology degree program at Williams is a program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree that offers an integrated understanding of history, culture, biography, and human social dynamics. The field of anthropology is concerned with the exploration of human experiences from the prehistoric and modern complexities of industrial societies. The field of sociology, on the other hand, studies the intricacies and issues of modern industrial states that affect mass society. The Sociology Major requires four core courses like Invitation to Sociology, Ways of Knowing, Social Theory, and Senior Seminar as well as elective courses in both anthropology and sociology. Go to anso.williams.edu to see the entire program curriculum.

Acceptance Rate

12.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Recognized as one of the best research universities in the country, Rice University is a private research university situated in the heart of Houston, Texas. It was founded in 1891 as the William Marsh Rice University and is consistently ranked for having the best quality of life among private academic institutions because of its strong tradition of keeping a close-knit, diverse community of scholars.

Rice’s Department of Sociology offers an undergraduate program in sociology that enables students to pursue their personal interests while mastering the core sociological theories, principles, and research methods. The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology prepares students for graduate studies and careers in sociology as well as other related fields like law, public health, medicine, and public policy. The department also offers an Honors Program that allows qualified sociology majors to sharpen their research skills and enhance their understanding of the discipline through a series of directed independent research and writing sessions. Access the complete details of both programs at sociology.rice.edu.

Acceptance Rate

8.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

The Sociology Major at Notre Dame can be found in the course catalog within the Sociology Department.  This exciting, evolving degree provides students relevant coursework in different areas of sociology such as marriage and family, health, education, gender roles, interpersonal relationships, poverty and inequality, and many more. The program consists of 31 credits in sociology and the courses include Foundations of Sociological Theory, Methods of Sociological Research, Statistics for Sociological Research, and elective courses in basic and advanced sociology courses. The department also offers an Honors program that enables academically gifted students to graduate with departmental honors. See the entire program overview at sociology.nd.edu. 

Acceptance Rate

15.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Known as a globally renowned private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University intends to provide transformative education and research across all sectors since its founding in 1873. Today, the university houses internationally recognized schools of law, business, medicine, education, nursing, and divinity which offers robust undergraduate and graduate programs.

The College of Arts and Sciences at Vanderbilt offers a major in sociology, a major in environmental sociology, and a minor in sociology which can be combined with other majors and minors to expand students’ knowledge base. The Sociology Major explores how changes in components of a society affect fundamental shifts in how people live. Majors are required to finish 33 credit hours in Sociology that focuses on the introduction, research skills, theory, core areas, and electives in the following areas: Culture, Institutions, and Socialization, Health, Environment, Population, and Migration, Politics, Law, and Conflict, and Race, Ethnicity, and Gender. The department also offers an Honors Research Program Track that consists of superior majors in sociology and allows students to pursue intensive and independent research projects. Explore the programs at as.vanderbilt.edu.

Acceptance Rate

9.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The Department of Sociology at Georgetown offers a major and a minor in Sociology with a choice of concentrating in Social Justice Analysis for majors. The major in Sociology requires students to finish five major core courses namely Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theory, Methods of Social Research, Statistics for Social Research, and Senior Seminar, two Advanced Seminars, two Core Topic Lectures, and one elective course. The program offers students a lot of academic and research opportunities to learn and apply the knowledge and skills they acquire which can help in finishing their senior thesis and expanding their knowledge base. Visit sociology.georgetown.edu to view the entire program curriculum.

Acceptance Rate

14.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

The degree in Sociology at WUSTL’s Sociology Department is a program that provides a deep understanding of how social relations and settings affect individual and group experiences by putting emphasis on how various forms of inequality sprout and propagate through time. The program utilizes diverse theoretical and methodological tools, specifically classical and contemporary concepts and quantitative and qualitative research, to help students focus on the core issues and acquire expertise in using the tools. The upper-level courses build on applying these tools and perspectives to create a deep study of specific sociological issues and topics. Qualified students may also accomplish an Honors thesis and take additional courses to graduate with honors. Explore the program details at sociology.wustl.edu.

Acceptance Rate

13.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The Department of Sociology offers undergraduate and graduate programs that concentrate on social change and social inequality. The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology provides students with a basic understanding of different sociological theories and methods, and social statistics that will be used in examining deeper issues and sociological themes like gender and family, education, race and ethnicity, social structure and personality, political sociology, immigration, and international development. The required core courses in the undergraduate program include Introductory Sociology, Research Methods for the Social Sciences, Introduction to Social Statistics, and Introduction to Social Theory. Students may also choose to enroll in the Global Social Change and Development (GSCD) program where they can gain a deeper understanding of the urgent sociological issues related to globalization and international development. Access the program description at soc.jhu.edu.

Acceptance Rate

11.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Started operating in 1859 as a Baptist women’s college, Averett University is a private, four-year Baptist college with locations in Quantico, Danville, and Norfolk, Virginia as well as in Providence, North Carolina. The university, with approximately 1,500 students from 24 states and 20 countries, offers more than 35 undergraduate and graduate majors, minors, and special programs.

The Bachelor of Science in Sociology at Averett University is an online, fast-track, interdisciplinary program that provides students with a firm foundation in the basic sociological principles, research methods and analysis, and theories for understanding the crucial aspects of social life in contemporary society. The program covers important areas in sociology such as social problems, social theory, society and the individual, drugs and substance abuse, gender and society, race and ethnic relations, and crisis intervention. Students may take minor programs in the following fields: Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Cyber Security and Computer Forensics, Homeland Security, and Leadership to widen their expertise and application of the sociological concepts and skills they will acquire. For more details about the program requirements, go to gps.averett.edu.

Acceptance Rate

23.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

The School of Arts and Science at Tufts offers a top rated sociology major that examines different social inequalities, social institutions, and social identities that can help them analyze how each area affects individuals and society. Majors are required to complete 10 courses in Sociology, three of which must be Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theory, and Research Design and Interpretation. Students also have the choice to choose one or more specializations called clusters where they can have a better and deeper understanding of specific topics. The clusters include Media, Culture, and Society, Social Inequalities and Social Change, Globalization, Transnationalism, and Immigration, and Data Analysis and Interpretation. Read more about the program overview at as.tufts.edu.

Acceptance Rate

14.95

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

What Does a Sociologist Do?

A team of sociologists may be hired to untangle a complex weave of human behavior to determine the effect of social influences on different groups and individuals and draw valuable conclusions from the data assembled. Data can be gathered from third-parties, public data, interviews, surveys, and other research methods to better understand human experiences (faith, identity, religion, love, gender, morality, family, race, war, poverty, politics, education, economics, etc.). It is not uncommon for a sociologist to be tasked by a group or special interest group to organize historical information about the origin, evolution, and growth of class of people to understand a trajectory for the future.

Trained sociologists leverage both common and uncommon quantitative and qualitative research methods, including industry-specific statistical analysis software used to crunch massive data sets across several variables. Sociologists need to be focused, detail-oriented, and analytical to decipher fact from fiction when it comes to understanding trends in human behavior, social constructs, political systems, response to change, political systems, and evolution of power systems.

Educational Requirements of Sociologists

An education in sociology is available starting at the associate level, though the most common sociology degree pursued is the bachelor's degree, which provides an education that is useful for entering law programs as well as a variety of other graduate programs, in addition to preparing an individual for entry into a sociology related career. Sociology degrees are available from the associate's level all the way to the doctoral, with higher level degrees dealing with more theoretical and policy oriented work. Higher level degrees also allow for the teaching of sociology.

Sociology curriculum may include:

  • Psychology
  • Macroeconomic Principles
  • Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality
  • Global Society
  • Philosophy
Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Opportunities in Sociology

Individuals who chose to pursue a career in sociology may find work at colleges and universities, government agencies, or in the private sector. Individuals who wish to teach at the university level typically must have a doctoral degree, although community colleges may hire individual with a master's degree. Experienced and established sociologists may find themselves as department heads, and are responsible for reviewing curriculum and establishing research projects within their school while managing their given budget.

Sociologists with a master's or doctoral degree will be able to pursue research positions as well as seek grant money in order to put into effect their own research projects. Such projects will either be funded by federal, state or local funds, or through private money either from a business or an established research body. Individuals must provide a proposal demonstrating why the given research topic is important and what methods will be utilized in order to obtain the necessary information. Often such projects are pursued in conjunction with a college, university, or equivalent institution, which provide the facilities for research and a center for information gathering.

Most Popular Careers in Sociology

Sociology majors can work in a variety of settings across a number of disparate industries. Studying sociology in college will provide you with the opportunity to learn deep and wide while preparing for an exciting future in the field of sociology. Some colleges and universities provide students with the opportunity to elect an area of concentration while in school while other programs do not provide subspecialties during the degree program. In either case, the list below will help you think about differing areas of sociology and the far-reaching bounds of the discipline as it relates to real-world applications. Areas of the economy that benefit from the expertise and knowledge of a sociologists include:

  • Education: Being a teacher, professor, research professional, or academic publisher coupled with the keen eye for data and interrelationships could be a benefit to a school district and the community at-large.
  • Therapy & Counseling Services: Although not a traditional means to a counseling career, a sociologist could enter the field with work experience or professional certifications to become a counselor or therapist helping others with: drug abuse, substance addiction, depression, disorders, relationship issues, etc.
  • Youth Development: A trained sociologist leveraging their knowledge and insight to benefit youth in a community could be recipe for exciting change and development. Helping young people grapple with a healthy world view of social issues, politics, healthcare, rehabilitation, and community involvement has the potential to impact a generation of citizens.
  • Technology: The adept skills of a sociologist can teach others in a corporation effective ways to use data and science to improve products, extend the life of existing products, create new markets, and otherwise enhance the lives of others through technology. Technology can scale exceptionally fast affecting people in spades if performed correctly.
  • Business: Sociologists can help the business world via disciplines like statistics, public relations, human resource management, recruiting, strategic management, and managing non-profit organizations. Linking real-world data with organizational goals can be a win-win for both entities.
  • Public Services: A sociologist leveraging their education to help with crime prevention, social justice, public health, correctional facilities, and welfare services can be a powerful force. Subspecialties within each discipline will allow for deeper understanding and more precise solutions to far-reaching societal problems.
  • Marketing & Advertising: Understanding the interactions within a society and identifying the needs of a particular group can be a way for non-profit organizations and corporations to benefit others on a large scale.
  • Politics: Sociologists with a political bent can join organizations or start groups to help enact positive change in the world through activism with social justice, social welfare, inequality, and fundraising.

 

States with the Highest Employment of Sociologists

  • California
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Wisconsin
  • Virginia

Top Paying States for Sociology Majors

  1. Massachusetts $118,230
  2. New Jersey $114,600
  3. Pennsylvania $101,900
  4. California $98,360
  5. Oregon $94,130

Largest Employers of Sociology Majors

  • Scientific Research and Development Centers
  • Colleges and Universities
  • State Government Agencies
  • Local Government Agencies
  • Scientific Consulting Services

Job Growth, Salary and Related Sociology Fields

Job growth for sociologists are expected to increase as research into society and the resulting public policy become more and more important. The number of positions will continue to be limited due to budgeting constraints, though the field itself is expected to expand as sociological research is applied to new and different areas of interest. Employment at colleges and universities will remain constant. The median annual income for a sociologist is $79,750 which can vary based on the type of work and sector of employment.

Students interested in sociology may also be interested in criminology, liberal arts, or social work. For additional information on a future in sociology, visit the ASA & ISA and then read our blog titled Making the Most of a Sociology Degree.

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