by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Applied/Public Sociology covers A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Sociological Theory, Methods, Skills, And Research To Resolve Particular Issues In Real-World Settings. Includes Instruction In Data Collection, Group And Organizational Dynamics, Participatory Action Research, Program Evaluation, Sociological Research Methods, And Sociological Theory. Continue reading for the essential details every applied/public sociology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering applied/public sociology programs.
Across the country, applied/public sociology is a widely-pursued major, with 105 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Applied/Public Sociology Schools ranking analyzes these 10 schools to determine the best overall colleges for applied/public sociology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of applied/public sociology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Applied/Public Sociology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations applied/public sociology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a applied/public sociology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a applied/public sociology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several applied/public sociology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 72 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 33 |
People currently working in careers related to applied/public sociology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.1% |
| Master’s degree | 16.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.9% |
| Some college courses | 2.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in applied/public sociology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in applied/public sociology opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to applied/public sociology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to applied/public sociology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | 730,797 | 12.0% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Social Science Research Assistants | 153,535 | 4.7% |
| Sociologists | 143,776 | 3.0% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of applied/public sociology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,618 |
| 4 years | $45,375 |
| 5 years | $52,385 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for applied/public sociology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers applied/public sociology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
| Sociologists | $74,866 |
With 10 different applied/public sociology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased applied/public sociology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in applied/public sociology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sociology, General | 31,211 |
| Rural Sociology | 61 |
| Sociology, Other | 3 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
