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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Sociology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

63 Colleges in the United States
1,780 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$36,847 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sociology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 160 schools to find the best for sociology students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Sociology in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall sociology education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Sociology

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Chicago the best school in the country for a degree in sociology. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 39 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from University Of Chicago

2

Students looking for a strong sociology program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 100 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $35,889 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,802 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

University Of Notre Dame is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 34 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $35,915 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,800. Get the full sociology details for University Of Notre Dame

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for sociology. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 135 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $33,832. Students borrow a median of $18,568 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

Northwestern University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 27 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $38,402 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,567 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Northwestern University

6
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best sociology schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 177 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $36,826 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the sociology program at Purdue University Main Campus

7

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #7 for sociology this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 68 sociology degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $38,034 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,739 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Ohio State University Main Campus

8

Loyola University Chicago came in at #8 for sociology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 36 sociology degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $34,004 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at Loyola University Chicago

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 46 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $31,548 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,154 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

10

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #10 for sociology this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 55 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $30,296. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,464 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Indiana University Bloomington

11

Miami University Oxford placed #11 among the best sociology schools. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Miami University Oxford awarded about 34 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $43,150 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at Miami University Oxford

12

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #12 among the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 23 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,619. See the full sociology program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

13
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 121 sociology degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $35,055 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,985 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Michigan State University

14
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University landed the #14 spot for sociology this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 10 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $60,443 in their early career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $23,718 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Marquette University

15

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #15 spot for sociology this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 28 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $41,152. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

16

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #16 for sociology this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 63 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,435. Typical student debt for the program is $19,315. See the full sociology program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

17

Illinois State University landed the #17 spot for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 74 sociology degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $33,636. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full sociology details for Illinois State University

18

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #18 for sociology this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 81 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $36,506 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Ohio University Main Campus

19
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University came in at #19 for sociology this year. John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 sociology degrees were awarded at John Carroll University in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of John Carroll University earn a median of $36,845 early in their careers. John Carroll University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from John Carroll University

20
Wittenberg University crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University placed #20 among the best sociology schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. Wittenberg University graduates 53% of students within six years. Wittenberg University awarded about 17 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Wittenberg University generally make around $40,093. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Wittenberg University

21

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #21 spot for sociology this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $33,529 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full sociology details for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

22
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #22 position for sociology this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. Depaul University awarded about 34 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $33,644 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Depaul University

23

Ball State University earned the #23 position for sociology this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 sociology degrees were awarded at Ball State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $32,973. Typical student debt for the program is $22,198. Read more about the sociology program at Ball State University

24
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 11 sociology degrees were awarded at Hope College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $29,181. Typical student debt for the program is $24,488. More information about a degree in sociology from Hope College

25

Saint Norbert College earned the #25 position for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 14 sociology degrees were awarded at Saint Norbert College in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full sociology details for Saint Norbert College

Rest of the Top 48 Sociology Schools

These schools also placed among the best for sociology this year:

26
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL
35
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
36
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Lake Michigan College crest
Lake Michigan College
Benton Harbor, MI

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 160 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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