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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Sociology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

90 Colleges in the United States
2,988 Sociology Degrees Awarded
$38,110 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sociology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 191 schools to find the best for sociology students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Sociology in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall sociology education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Sociology

1
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in sociology. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Georgetown University awarded about 25 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Georgetown University earn around $40,079 in the first couple years of their career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Georgetown University

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 75 sociology degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Read more about the sociology program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Students looking for a strong sociology program will find one at Barnard College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,899 to complete this degree. Read more about the sociology program at Barnard College

4
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Colgate University awarded about 28 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $51,788. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for Colgate University

5

Cornell University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 32 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data 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. Read more about the sociology program at 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. American University graduates 76% of students 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. Typical student debt for the program is $24,139. See the full sociology program report for American University

7

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #7 for sociology this year. 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. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 100 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $34,150 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,460 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for University Of Maryland College Park

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

New York University earned the #8 position for sociology this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 95 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from New York University earn around $22,697 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,875. Read more about the sociology program at New York University

9

Fordham University came in at #9 for sociology this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Fordham University earn around $32,511 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full sociology details for Fordham University

10

George Washington University came in at #10 for sociology this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. 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. See the full sociology program report for George Washington University

11
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College came in at #11 for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Hamilton College awarded about 14 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $48,806. Hamilton College graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Read more about the sociology program at Hamilton College

12

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 83 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $58,541 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. 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. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Syracuse University awarded about 40 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Syracuse University earn around $38,632 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Syracuse University

14

Teachers College At Columbia University placed #14 among the best sociology schools. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Teachers College At Columbia University awarded about 22 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Teachers College At Columbia University earn a median of $68,137 early in their careers. Get the full sociology details for Teachers College At Columbia University

15

Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #15 for sociology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Mahwah. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates 70% of students 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. Graduates of the sociology program make about $34,034 in their early career. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Ramapo College Of New Jersey

16

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #16 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. Graduates of the sociology program make about $34,344 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,405 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick

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

Cuny Hunter College placed #17 among the best sociology schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 173 sociology degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Students who receive their sociology degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $30,246 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Cuny Hunter College

18

University At Buffalo earned the #18 position for sociology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Buffalo. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University At Buffalo awarded about 132 sociology degrees 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. Read more about the sociology program at University At Buffalo

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

Stony Brook University earned the #19 position for sociology this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 95 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $32,912 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. More information about a degree in sociology from Stony Brook University

20

University Of Delaware came in at #20 for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. University Of Delaware awarded about 36 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $29,714 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,661. More information about a degree in sociology from 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. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $32,914 in their early career. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from Princeton University

22

The College Of New Jersey landed the #22 spot for sociology this year. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 sociology students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from The College Of New Jersey earn around $46,953 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete this degree. Get the full sociology details for The College Of New Jersey

23

Cuny Lehman College landed the #23 spot for sociology this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Cuny Lehman College graduates 51% of students 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. See the full sociology program report for Cuny Lehman College

24

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #24 spot for sociology this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 sociology degrees were awarded at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $40,401. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

25

University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #25 spot for sociology this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland Baltimore County awarded about 42 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $39,435 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sociology from 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

These schools earned honorable mentions for sociology:

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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 · 191 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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