by our College Data Analytics TeamSociology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1161 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for sociology students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the best sociology schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
No school ranked higher than El Camino Community College District this year for sociology. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. About 99 sociology degrees were awarded at El Camino Community College District in the most recent year. See the full sociology program report for El Camino Community College District
A rank of #2 makes College Of San Mateo one of the top schools for sociology. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. About 21 sociology degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for College Of San Mateo
Students looking for a strong sociology program will find one at De Anza College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. About 44 sociology degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for De Anza College
Fresno City College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. About 37 sociology degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Typical student debt for the program is $7,234. More information about a degree in sociology from Fresno City College
Orange Coast College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 42 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $46,306 in their early career. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at Orange Coast College
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #6 spot for sociology this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. About 54 sociology degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $80,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Get the full sociology details for Santa Rosa Junior College
Diablo Valley College landed the #7 spot for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 32 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. Read more about the sociology program at Diablo Valley College
College Of The Canyons ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. College Of The Canyons awarded about 69 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Typical student debt for the program is $8,750. More information about a degree in sociology from College Of The Canyons
Cerritos College earned the #9 position for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. There were roughly 93 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Cerritos College graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Cerritos College
American River College came in at #10 for sociology this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. There were roughly 39 sociology students who graduated with this degree at American River College in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for American River College
Foothill College landed the #11 spot for sociology this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. There were roughly 36 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Foothill College earn around $94,152 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,595. Read more about the sociology program at Foothill College
Mt San Antonio College placed #12 among the best sociology schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 196 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Mt San Antonio College earn around $44,391 in the first couple years of their career. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Mt San Antonio College
East Los Angeles College earned the #13 position for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. About 84 sociology degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from East Los Angeles College earn around $33,595 in the first couple years of their career. East Los Angeles College graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at East Los Angeles College
Moorpark College earned the #14 position for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. About 50 sociology degrees were awarded at Moorpark College in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $105,599 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. See the full sociology program report for Moorpark College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #15 spot for sociology this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College awarded about 18 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn around $16,893 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
Los Angeles Valley College placed #16 among the best sociology schools. Set in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 100 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Los Angeles Valley College in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of $81,600 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,254. More information about a degree in sociology from Los Angeles Valley College
Cuesta College earned the #17 position for sociology this year. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. There were roughly 42 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $64,492 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958. See the full sociology program report for Cuesta College
Oxnard College placed #18 among the best sociology schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Oxnard College awarded about 60 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. See the full sociology program report for Oxnard College
Santa Barbara City College came in at #19 for sociology this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 75 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. Read more about the sociology program at Santa Barbara City College
Sacramento City College came in at #20 for sociology this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Sacramento City College awarded about 50 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Sacramento City College earn around $46,522 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,180. Read more about the sociology program at Sacramento City College
San Diego Miramar College placed #21 among the best sociology schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 17 sociology students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $41,038 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at San Diego Miramar College
Sierra College placed #22 among the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Rocklin. About 38 sociology degrees were awarded at Sierra College in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Sierra College earn around $29,214 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Sierra College
Modesto Junior College placed #23 among the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Modesto. There were roughly 63 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Modesto Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $36,525 in their early career. Modesto Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Modesto Junior College
Salt Lake Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Salt Lake Community College awarded about 30 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $42,031 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Salt Lake Community College
Merced College came in at #25 for sociology this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. About 81 sociology degrees were awarded at Merced College in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $45,032 in their early career. Merced College graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from Merced College
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong sociology education:
The following schools placed in the top tier for sociology:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #69 | City College Of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
Explore the best sociology schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1161 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.