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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Sociology Schools in North Carolina

15 Colleges in the United States
761 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$32,561 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 33 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 North Carolina

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

Top Schools in Sociology

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for sociology. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $45,551. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Duke University

2

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sociology, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $30,623 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,925 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Wake Forest University earn around $46,257 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Wake Forest University

4

North Carolina State University At Raleigh is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sociology, ranking #4. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 71 sociology degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $35,510 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,787 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

5

Appalachian State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #5 spot this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 35 sociology degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $31,559. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $20,606 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Appalachian State University

6

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #6 position for sociology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years. About 36 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $29,220 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

7

East Carolina University earned the #7 position for sociology this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 sociology students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $31,928 early in their careers. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for East Carolina University

8

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #8 spot for sociology this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. About 117 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $31,897. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $26,798 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

9

Western Carolina University landed the #9 spot for sociology this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 15 sociology degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $23,374. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Western Carolina University

10

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro awarded about 106 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $27,400. Typical student debt for the program is $25,988. Get the full sociology details for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

11

University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #11 among the best sociology schools. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Asheville awarded about 17 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $18,869. University Of North Carolina At Asheville graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from University Of North Carolina At Asheville

12

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #12 among the best sociology schools. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. About 44% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke awarded about 98 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $34,051 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,526. Get the full sociology details for University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

13

North Carolina A And T State University came in at #13 for sociology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Greensboro. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 26 sociology degrees were awarded at North Carolina A And T State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $24,661. Students borrow a median of $33,540 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at North Carolina A And T State University

14

Winston Salem State University landed the #14 spot for sociology this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 13 sociology degrees were awarded at Winston Salem State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $43,969. Winston Salem State University graduates carry a median of $27,653 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at Winston Salem State University

15

Fayetteville State University placed #15 among the best sociology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. About 38% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 67 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Fayetteville State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $33,544. Fayetteville State University graduates carry a median of $31,888 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from Fayetteville State 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 · 33 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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