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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Sociology Schools in the The Plains States Region

30 Colleges in the United States
582 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$42,984 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sociology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 112 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 The Plains States 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

Our analysis ranked Washington University In St Louis the best school in the country for a degree in sociology. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 13 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $68,303 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Washington University In St Louis

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top schools for sociology. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 84 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $38,972 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,377. Get the full sociology details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

A rank of #3 makes Grinnell College one of the top schools for sociology. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 15 sociology degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $28,216. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Grinnell College

4

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sociology, ranking #4. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 49 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $33,386 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at University Of Missouri Columbia

5
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Students looking for a strong sociology program will find one at University Of Iowa, which ranked #5. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 35 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from University Of Iowa

6
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #6 among the best sociology schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Kansas awarded about 33 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $42,703 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,001. Get the full sociology details for University Of Kansas

7
Wartburg College crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College came in at #7 for sociology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Waverly. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Wartburg College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Wartburg College earn around $46,918 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Wartburg College

8

Iowa State University landed the #8 spot for sociology this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 22 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $40,602. Typical student debt for the program is $21,935. See the full sociology program report for Iowa State University

9

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #9 position for sociology this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 24 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $36,809 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,400. Read more about the sociology program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln

10

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #10 spot for sociology this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 15 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $36,810. Students borrow a median of $20,799 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at University Of Missouri Kansas City

11

Bemidji State University came in at #11 for sociology this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. About 46% of students finish within six years. Bemidji State University awarded about 11 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. Students borrow a median of $25,819 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at Bemidji State University

12
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 sociology degrees were awarded at Macalester College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $42,517. Macalester College graduates carry a median of $22,147 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from Macalester College

13
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University placed #13 among the best sociology schools. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. About 49% of students finish within six years. Lindenwood University awarded about 12 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Lindenwood University graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at Lindenwood University

14

University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #14 among the best sociology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kearney. University Of Nebraska At Kearney graduates 57% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska At Kearney awarded about 13 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $46,744. University Of Nebraska At Kearney graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for University Of Nebraska At Kearney

15

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #15 for sociology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 13 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $41,250 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,594. More information about a degree in sociology from University Of Northern Iowa

16
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University placed #16 among the best sociology schools. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Truman State University awarded about 14 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $39,764 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Truman State University

17

Kansas State University landed the #17 spot for sociology this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $42,985 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,946 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Kansas State University

18

University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #18 spot for sociology this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 23 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $40,871 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

19

University Of North Dakota landed the #19 spot for sociology this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 16 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $64,378 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,110. Read more about the sociology program at University Of North Dakota

20
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College landed the #20 spot for sociology this year. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Augsburg College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $34,543 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full sociology program report for Augsburg College

21

Missouri State University Springfield placed #21 among the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $31,819 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,191. See the full sociology program report for Missouri State University Springfield

22

Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #22 for sociology this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates 66% of students within six years. Maryville University Of Saint Louis awarded about 11 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $67,909 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at Maryville University Of Saint Louis

23
College Of The Ozarks crest
College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

College Of The Ozarks placed #23 among the best sociology schools. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 12 sociology students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Ozarks in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $37,944 in their early career. Read more about the sociology program at College Of The Ozarks

24

South Dakota State University landed the #24 spot for sociology this year. This large public university is located in the town of Brookings. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 15 sociology degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $40,236 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the sociology program at South Dakota State University

25

University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 sociology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $34,942 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,686 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at University Of Missouri St Louis

Rest of the Top 27 Sociology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong sociology education:

26
27

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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 · 112 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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