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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Sociology Schools in Washington

11 Colleges in the United States
469 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$35,691 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sociology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for sociology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Sociology in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall sociology education in Washington.

Top Schools in Sociology

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in sociology. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 170 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $40,062 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $19,286 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

Washington State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Washington State University awarded about 55 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $39,801 early in their careers. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $21,475 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Washington State University

3

Students looking for a strong sociology program will find one at Western Washington University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 111 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $33,039 in their early career. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $20,087 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Western Washington University

4
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

A rank of #4 makes Gonzaga University one of the top schools for sociology. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 15 sociology degrees were awarded at Gonzaga University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Gonzaga University earn around $33,675 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,991. See the full sociology program report for Gonzaga University

5

Central Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sociology, ranking #5. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Central Washington University awarded about 58 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $36,466. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at Central Washington University

6
Whitman College crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College landed the #6 spot for sociology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Walla Walla. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Whitman College awarded about 11 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Whitman College earn around $32,345 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,039 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at Whitman College

7

Eastern Washington University came in at #7 for sociology this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 sociology degrees were awarded at Eastern Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Eastern Washington University earn around $47,144 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern Washington University graduates carry a median of $16,996 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Eastern Washington University

8

Whitworth University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 18 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Whitworth University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Whitworth University earn around $32,727 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,873. More information about a degree in sociology from Whitworth University

9

Seattle Pacific University earned the #9 position for sociology this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Seattle Pacific University awarded about 18 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Seattle Pacific University earn around $25,958 in the first couple years of their career. Seattle Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at Seattle Pacific University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 11 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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