by our College Data Analytics TeamSociology 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.
College Factual analyzed 1159 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best sociology schools.
What’s on this page:
These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in sociology, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Our analysis ranked El Camino Community College District the best school in the country for a degree in sociology. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. El Camino Community College District awarded about 99 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the sociology program at El Camino Community College District
Students looking for a strong sociology program will find one at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. There were roughly 21 sociology students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831. Read more about the sociology program at College Of San Mateo
De Anza College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. There were roughly 44 sociology students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. De Anza College graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for De Anza College
Students looking for a strong sociology program will find one at Fresno City College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. About 37 sociology degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Fresno City College earn around $37,470 in the first couple years of their career. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Fresno City College
Orange Coast College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Orange Coast College awarded about 42 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. Read more about the sociology program at Orange Coast College
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #6 position for sociology this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 54 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Read more about the sociology program at Santa Rosa Junior College
Diablo Valley College placed #7 among the best sociology schools. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 32 sociology degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Diablo Valley College
College Of The Canyons landed the #8 spot for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. About 69 sociology degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,750. Get the full sociology details for College Of The Canyons
Cerritos College came in at #9 for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 93 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Cerritos College earn around $29,495 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at Cerritos College
American River College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. There were roughly 39 sociology students who graduated with this degree at American River College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $76,077 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,105. Get the full sociology details for American River College
Foothill College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. There were roughly 36 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,595. More information about a degree in sociology from Foothill College
Mt San Antonio College landed the #12 spot for sociology this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 196 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $44,391 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Mt San Antonio College
East Los Angeles College placed #13 among the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Monterey Park. About 84 sociology degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $33,595 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for East Los Angeles College
Moorpark College landed the #14 spot for sociology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Moorpark. Moorpark College awarded about 50 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $105,599 in their early career. Moorpark College graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Moorpark College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #15 for sociology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 18 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $16,893 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Get the full sociology details for Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
Los Angeles Valley College landed the #16 spot for sociology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Valley Glen. About 100 sociology degrees were awarded at Los Angeles Valley College in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of $81,600 early in their careers. Los Angeles Valley College graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Los Angeles Valley College
Cuesta College placed #17 among the best sociology schools. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. There were roughly 42 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958. Read more about the sociology program at Cuesta College
Oxnard College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. About 60 sociology degrees were awarded at Oxnard College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in sociology from Oxnard College
Santa Barbara City College landed the #19 spot for sociology this year. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 75 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. More information about a degree in sociology from Santa Barbara City College
Sacramento City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Sacramento City College awarded about 50 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,180. See the full sociology program report for Sacramento City College
San Diego Miramar College came in at #21 for sociology this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 17 sociology degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $41,038 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,098. Read more about the sociology program at San Diego Miramar College
Sierra College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 38 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Sierra College
Modesto Junior College came in at #23 for sociology this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 63 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Modesto Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $36,525 in their early career. Modesto Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at Modesto Junior College
Salt Lake Community College came in at #24 for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 30 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $42,031 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from Salt Lake Community College
Merced College came in at #25 for sociology this year. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. There were roughly 81 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Merced College in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Merced College earn a median of $45,032 early in their careers. Merced College graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Merced College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology ranking:
These schools also earned a top-quality badge for sociology this year:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #69 | City College Of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Sociology rankings across degree levels:
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 · 1159 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.