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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 degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

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

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

Top Schools in Sociology

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Virginia Main Campus this year for sociology. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 64 sociology degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $45,786 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full sociology program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

Students looking for a strong sociology program will find one at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #2. 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. College Of William And Mary awarded about 36 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $53,338 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. More information about a degree in sociology from 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. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 170 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $38,768 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for 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. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. 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. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $19,168 in student loans. 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. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 49 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sociology degree from George Mason University earn around $38,916 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $20,514 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from George Mason University

6

Christopher Newport University earned the #6 position for sociology this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,548 to complete this degree. See the full sociology program report for Christopher Newport University

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

University Of Mary Washington came in at #7 for sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students 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. Read more about the sociology program at University Of Mary Washington

8
Bridgewater College crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College earned the #8 position for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Bridgewater College graduates 53% of students within six years. Bridgewater College awarded about 10 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Sociology graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $38,344 early in their careers. Bridgewater College graduates carry a median of $26,423 in student loans. More information about a degree in sociology from Bridgewater College

9

Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #9 position for sociology this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 66 sociology degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent 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. More information about a degree in sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University

10
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College came in at #10 for sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Roanoke College in the most recent data 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. Read more about the sociology program at Roanoke College

11

Old Dominion University landed the #11 spot for sociology this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 60 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $37,946. Typical student debt for the program is $26,100. Read more about the sociology program at Old Dominion University

12

Randolph Macon College earned the #12 position for sociology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ashland. Randolph Macon College graduates 70% of students 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. Randolph Macon College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Randolph Macon College

13
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University placed #13 among the best sociology schools. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 14 sociology degrees were awarded at Longwood University in the most recent year. Sociology graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $27,948 early in their careers. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full sociology details for Longwood University

14

Norfolk State University earned the #14 position for sociology this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. Norfolk State University awarded about 51 sociology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sociology program make about $54,971 in their early career. More information about a degree in sociology from Norfolk State University

15
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University landed the #15 spot for sociology this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 11 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $47,271. Typical student debt for the program is $25,514. More information about a degree in sociology from Radford University

16

Virginia State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best sociology schools. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. More information about a degree in sociology from Virginia State University

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Notes and References

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 · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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