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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Sociology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

90 Colleges in the United States
3,021 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$38,110 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sociology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their sociology programs.

College Factual analyzed 191 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best sociology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Sociology in the Middle Atlantic Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Sociology

1
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University tops our 2026 ranking of the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 25 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $40,079. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Georgetown University

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 75 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. See the full sociology program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Barnard College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Barnard College earn around $48,215 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,899. See the full sociology program report for Barnard College

4
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Students looking for a strong sociology program will find one at Colgate University, which ranked #4. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 sociology degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Colgate University earn around $51,788 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Colgate University

5

Cornell University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 sociology degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $36,709 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,900 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Cornell University

6
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University came in at #6 for sociology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 17 sociology degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of American University earn a median of $40,119 early in their careers. American University graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at American University

7

University Of Maryland College Park placed #7 among the best sociology schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 100 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $34,150 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,460. Read more about the sociology program at University Of Maryland College Park

8
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 95 sociology students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from New York University generally make around $22,697. New York University graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for New York University

9

Fordham University landed the #9 spot for sociology this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. Fordham University awarded about 19 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $32,511 in their early career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Fordham University

10

George Washington University earned the #10 position for sociology this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. George Washington University awarded about 16 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from George Washington University

11
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College landed the #11 spot for sociology this year. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hamilton College awarded about 14 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $48,806 in their early career. Hamilton College graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Hamilton College

12

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #12 spot for sociology this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 83 sociology degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $58,541 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Read more about the sociology program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

13
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 40 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $38,632 early in their careers. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at Syracuse University

14

Teachers College At Columbia University placed #14 among the best sociology schools. Set in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 22 sociology degrees were awarded at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $68,137 in their early career. Get the full sociology details for Teachers College At Columbia University

15

Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #15 position for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $34,034. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750. Read more about the sociology program at Ramapo College Of New Jersey

16

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #16 spot for sociology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 60 sociology degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $34,344. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $24,405 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

17
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 173 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $30,246 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,750. See the full sociology program report for Cuny Hunter College

18

University At Buffalo came in at #18 for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 132 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $28,593 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,945 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from University At Buffalo

19
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #19 for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 95 sociology degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $32,912 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Stony Brook University

20

University Of Delaware earned the #20 position for sociology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $29,714 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,661. See the full sociology program report for University Of Delaware

21
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #21 position for sociology this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 45 sociology degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $32,914. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888. Get the full sociology details for Princeton University

22

The College Of New Jersey came in at #22 for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 15 sociology degrees were awarded at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $46,953. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at The College Of New Jersey

23

Cuny Lehman College earned the #23 position for sociology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bronx. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 128 sociology degrees were awarded at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Cuny Lehman College earn around $42,710 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,247 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Cuny Lehman College

24

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #24 spot for sociology this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates 56% of students within six years. About 33 sociology degrees were awarded at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn around $40,401 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,125. More information about a degree in sociology from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

25

University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of Maryland Baltimore County awarded about 42 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn around $39,435 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Get the full sociology details for University Of Maryland Baltimore County

Rest of the Top 50 Sociology Schools

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

26
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
27
28
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY
29
30
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA
31
Gettysburg College crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA
32
33
34
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY
35
36
37
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
38
Wagner College crest
Wagner College
Staten Island, NY
39
40
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY
41
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
42
43
44
Mcdaniel College crest
Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD
45
46
47
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
48
Cuny York College crest
Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY
49
Siena College crest
Siena College
Loudonville, NY
50

Honorable Mentions

A few more sociology schools worth a look:

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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 · 191 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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