100 Best universities for Sociology in France

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in France ranked based on their research performance in Sociology. A graph of 6.6M citations received by 268K academic papers made by 122 universities in France was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Pierre and Marie Curie University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#48 in Europe

#165 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 35,114
Founded: 1150

2. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Sociology

#95 in Europe

#284 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

3. Paris Institute of Political Studies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#104 in Europe

#309 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 11,196
Founded: 1872

4. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Sociology

#116 in Europe

#331 in the World

Enrollment: 49,000
Founded: 1289

5. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Sociology

#143 in Europe

#404 in the World

Enrollment: 66,378
Founded: 2012

6. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Sociology

#171 in Europe

#466 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 60,404
Founded: 2012

7. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#188 in Europe

#516 in the World

Enrollment: 2,613
Founded: 1947

8. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Sociology

#189 in Europe

#519 in the World

Enrollment: 69,000
Founded: 2018

9. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Sociology

#200 in Europe

#540 in the World

Enrollment: 46,845
Founded: 1441

10. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Sociology

#203 in Europe

#548 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

11. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Sociology

#205 in Europe

#551 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

12. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Sociology

#218 in Europe

#585 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

13. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Sociology

#224 in Europe

#604 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

14. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#237 in Europe

#630 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

15. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Sociology

#261 in Europe

#684 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

16. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#271 in Europe

#709 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 2,536
Founded: 1794

17. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#272 in Europe

#712 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 31,690
Founded: 2019

18. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Sociology

#279 in Europe

#727 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

19. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#297 in Europe

#799 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

20. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Sociology

#298 in Europe

#801 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Enrollment: 22,023
Founded: 1968

21. Paris-Est Creteil Val-de-Marne University

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Sociology

#302 in Europe

#810 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

22. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Sociology

#307 in Europe

#826 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 27,900
Founded: 1970

23. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#341 in Europe

#929 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 25,523
Founded: 1970

24. EHESP School of Public Health

Brittany | Rennes

For Sociology

#348 in Europe

#955 in the World

Enrollment: 433
Founded: 1945

25. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Sociology

#349 in Europe

#958 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

26. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Sociology

#351 in Europe

#968 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 14,690
Founded: 1854

27. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Sociology

#371 in Europe

#1041 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 42,000
Founded: 1460

28. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Sociology

#375 in Europe

#1050 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

29. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Sociology

#383 in Europe

#1071 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 2,790
Founded: 1794

30. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Sociology

#387 in Europe

#1078 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

31. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Sociology

#400 in Europe

#1113 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

32. TELECOM ParisTech

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#402 in Europe

#1115 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1878

33. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#407 in Europe

#1132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 15,232
Founded: 1971

34. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Sociology

#418 in Europe

#1171 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

35. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Sociology

#430 in Europe

#1233 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 27,820
Founded: 1431

36. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Sociology

#434 in Europe

#1243 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 27,465
Founded: 1432

37. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Sociology

#455 in Europe

#1322 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

38. EMLYON Business School

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Sociology

#456 in Europe

#1323 in the World

Enrollment: 9,000
Founded: 1872

39. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Sociology

#470 in Europe

#1369 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 25,687
Founded: 1971

40. Paris Institute of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#472 in Europe

#1387 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 2,300
Founded: 2007

41. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#496 in Europe

#1478 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 1783

42. Paul Valery University, Montpellier 3

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Sociology

#497 in Europe

#1479 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 21,997
Founded: 1970

43. University of Savoy Mont Blanc

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Chambery

For Sociology

#501 in Europe

#1494 in the World

Enrollment: 14,498
Founded: 1979

44. HEC School of Management

Ile-de-France | Jouy-en-Josas

For Sociology

#505 in Europe

#1512 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 5,453
Founded: 1881

45. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Sociology

#512 in Europe

#1539 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

46. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Sociology

#513 in Europe

#1547 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

47. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Sociology

#518 in Europe

#1565 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

48. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Sociology

#530 in Europe

#1601 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

49. ESSEC Business School Paris

Ile-de-France | Cergy-Pontoise

For Sociology

#532 in Europe

#1605 in the World

Founded: 1907

50. Catholic University of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Sociology

#533 in Europe

#1606 in the World

Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1875

51. Grenoble Graduate School of Business

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Sociology

#542 in Europe

#1645 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 8,000
Founded: 1984

52. Montpellier SupAgro

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Sociology

#560 in Europe

#1728 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 2007

53. University of Rennes 2

Brittany | Rennes

For Sociology

#567 in Europe

#1760 in the World

Enrollment: 23,365
Founded: 1969

54. Pantheon-Assas Paris II University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#590 in Europe

#1875 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 19,018
Founded: 1970

55. Jean Moulin University Lyon 3

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Sociology

#613 in Europe

#1996 in the World

Enrollment: 26,754
Founded: 1809

56. Kedge Business School

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Sociology

#627 in Europe

#2060 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Enrollment: 14,800
Founded: 2013

57. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Sociology

#630 in Europe

#2076 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

58. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Sociology

#631 in Europe

#2079 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

59. EDHEC Business School

Hauts-de-France | Roubaix

For Sociology

#633 in Europe

#2089 in the World

Founded: 1906

60. National School of Bridges and Roads

Ile-de-France | Champs sur Marne

For Sociology

#635 in Europe

#2098 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1747

61. Lille Catholic University

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Sociology

#644 in Europe

#2139 in the World

Enrollment: 39,424
Founded: 1875

62. Eurecom

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Biot Sophia-Antipolis

For Sociology

#645 in Europe

#2142 in the World

Founded: 1991

63. University of Perpignan Via Domitia

Occitanie | Perpignan

For Sociology

#665 in Europe

#2262 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 8,238
Founded: 1970

64. University of Toulon

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | La Garde

For Sociology

#670 in Europe

#2285 in the World

Enrollment: 11,014
Founded: 1979

65. Toulouse Business School

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Sociology

#676 in Europe

#2314 in the World

Enrollment: 5,600
Founded: 1903

66. Upper Alsace University

Grand Est | Mulhouse

For Sociology

#679 in Europe

#2336 in the World

Enrollment: 9,921
Founded: 1975

67. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Sociology

#681 in Europe

#2340 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

68. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Sociology

#690 in Europe

#2373 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

69. Audencia Nantes School of Management

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Sociology

#695 in Europe

#2414 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Founded: 1900

70. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Sociology

#696 in Europe

#2418 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 6,067
Founded: 1957

71. University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Pau

For Sociology

#697 in Europe

#2425 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 12,629
Founded: 1970

72. Agrocampus Ouest

Brittany | Rennes

For Sociology

#710 in Europe

#2506 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2008

73. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Sociology

#718 in Europe

#2546 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 7,646
Founded: 1900

74. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Sociology

#727 in Europe

#2577 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

75. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Sociology

#736 in Europe

#2625 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 4,367
Founded: 1972

76. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Sociology

#751 in Europe

#2709 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 12,051
Founded: 1992

77. SKEMA Business School

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Sociology

#754 in Europe

#2713 in the World

Founded: 1892

78. University of the French West Indies

Guadeloupe | Pointe-a-Pitre

For Sociology

#770 in Europe

#2840 in the World

Enrollment: 11,593
Founded: 1850

79. National Advanced School of Engineering

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#774 in Europe

#2852 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1780

80. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Sociology

#778 in Europe

#2873 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

81. ESCP Europe

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#789 in Europe

#2924 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1819

82. CentraleSupelec

Ile-de-France | Gif-sur-Yvette

For Sociology

#803 in Europe

#2991 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 4,300
Founded: 1894

83. University of the Littoral Opal Coast

Hauts-de-France | Dunkirk

For Sociology

#807 in Europe

#3016 in the World

Enrollment: 10,381
Founded: 1991

84. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Sociology

#817 in Europe

#3064 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 7,591
Founded: 1984

85. University of Nimes

Occitanie | Nimes

For Sociology

#821 in Europe

#3084 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 5,993
Founded: 2007

86. Catholic University of Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#831 in Europe

#3125 in the World

Founded: 1875

87. National Veterinary School of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Sociology

#854 in Europe

#3237 in the World

Founded: 1828

88. National Graduate School for Advanced Technologies

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#856 in Europe

#3244 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 897
Founded: 1970

89. University of Southern Brittany

Brittany | Lorient

For Sociology

#886 in Europe

#3434 in the World

Enrollment: 9,477
Male:Female: 53:47
Founded: 1995

90. University of Technology of Troyes

Grand Est | Troyes

For Sociology

#889 in Europe

#3453 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 3,196
Male:Female: 77:23
Founded: 1994

91. University of French Polynesia

French Polynesia | Puna'auia

For Sociology

#891 in Europe

#3461 in the World

Enrollment: 2,944
Founded: 1987

92. American University of Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#893 in Europe

#3475 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1962

93. Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France | Valenciennes

For Sociology

#898 in Europe

#3492 in the World

Enrollment: 10,994
Founded: 1964

94. National School of Statistics and Economic Administration

Ile-de-France | Malakoff

For Sociology

#914 in Europe

#3583 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1942

95. University of French Guiana

French Guiana | Cayenne

For Sociology

#918 in Europe

#3605 in the World

Enrollment: 2,580
Founded: 2014

96. National Veterinary School of Alfort

Ile-de-France | Maisons-Alfort

For Sociology

#932 in Europe

#3735 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 800
Founded: 1765

97. Catholic University of the West

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Sociology

#941 in Europe

#3815 in the World

Enrollment: 11,400
Founded: 1875

98. Angers Graduate School of Business

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Sociology

#943 in Europe

#3832 in the World

Enrollment: 6,000
Founded: 1909

99. University of New Caledonia

New Caledonia | Noumea

For Sociology

#944 in Europe

#3839 in the World

Enrollment: 3,536
Founded: 1987

100. School of Industrial Physics and Chemistry of the City of Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Sociology

#951 in Europe

#3877 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

The best cities to study Sociology in France based on the number of universities and their ranks are Paris, Villeurbanne, Montpellier, and Marseille.

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences subfields in France

Broadcast Journalism5

Classics and Ancient History65

Communications and Public Relations68

Criminology and Criminal Justice23

Early Childhood Education8

Education Majors92

Forensic Science10

Gender Studies45

Human Rights Law11

Intellectual Property and Patent Law19

International Law14

International Relations and Diplomacy14

Journalism and Digital Media31

Law Enforcement10

Library and Information science80

Media Studies28

Military science11

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution22

Occupational Safety and Health15

Political Economy25

Political Science129

Public Policy / Administration31

Radio and Television broadcasting4

Special Education23

Sports / Exercise science29

Theology / Divinity / Religious studies89

Urban and Regional planning26