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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Sociology Schools in Virginia

15 Colleges in the United States
695 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$39,957 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sociology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their sociology programs.

College Factual analyzed 29 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 Virginia

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

University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 64 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $45,786 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

A rank of #2 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for sociology. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. About 36 sociology degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $53,338 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at College Of William And Mary

3

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 170 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $38,768. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

4
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sociology, ranking #4. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 54 sociology students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $31,513 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,168 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from James Madison University

5

George Mason University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 sociology degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $38,916 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,514 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for George Mason University

6

Christopher Newport University landed the #6 spot for sociology this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Christopher Newport University earn around $36,977 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,548. More information about a degree in sociology from Christopher Newport University

7
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 18 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $35,499 in their early career. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from University Of Mary Washington

8
Bridgewater College crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College landed the #8 spot for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 10 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater College in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $38,344 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,423. Read more about the sociology program at Bridgewater College

9

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #9 among the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. About 63% of students finish within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 66 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $32,781 in their early career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $26,285 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at Virginia Commonwealth University

10
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College placed #10 among the best sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 10 sociology degrees were awarded at Roanoke College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Roanoke College generally make around $38,983. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Roanoke College

11

Old Dominion University earned the #11 position for sociology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 60 sociology degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $37,946 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,100. Get the full sociology details for Old Dominion University

12

Randolph Macon College landed the #12 spot for sociology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ashland. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Randolph Macon College in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Randolph Macon College earn a median of $39,656 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the sociology program at Randolph Macon College

13
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University earned the #13 position for sociology this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. Longwood University awarded about 14 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $27,948. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Longwood University

14

Norfolk State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 sociology degrees were awarded at Norfolk State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $54,971 in their early career. Read more about the sociology program at Norfolk State University

15
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $47,271 in their early career. Radford University graduates carry a median of $25,514 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Radford University

16

Virginia State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia State University awarded about 21 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Virginia State University earn around $40,620 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Virginia State University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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