100 Best colleges for Sociology in the United States

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Sociology. A graph of 183M citations received by 5.21M academic papers made by 1,593 universities in the United States 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. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Sociology

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,900

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Sociology

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

3. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Sociology

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,998

4. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Sociology

#5 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Aid: $14,390
Enrollment: 55,620

5. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Sociology

#6 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,844

6. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Sociology

#7 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,869

7. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Sociology

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $25,951
Enrollment: 45,699

8. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Sociology

#9 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,455

9. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Sociology

#10 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $22,441
Enrollment: 46,678

10. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Sociology

#11 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

11. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Sociology

#12 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $27,979

12. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Sociology

#13 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,044

13. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Sociology

#15 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 60%

14. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Sociology

#16 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 58%

15. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Sociology

#17 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

16. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Sociology

#18 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

17. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Sociology

#19 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 75%

18. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Sociology

#20 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,730

19. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Sociology

#21 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 61%

20. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Sociology

#22 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,496

21. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Sociology

#23 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,992
Enrollment: 79,593

22. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Sociology

#24 in North America

#30 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 97%

23. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Sociology

#25 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

24. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Sociology

#26 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,422

25. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Sociology

#27 in North America

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

26. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Sociology

#28 in North America

#37 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,126
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

27. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Sociology

#30 in North America

#40 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 71%

28. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Sociology

#31 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,258
Enrollment: 39,707

29. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Sociology

#32 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,519

30. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Sociology

#33 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 92%

31. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Sociology

#34 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

32. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Sociology

#35 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $24,176
Enrollment: 42,376

33. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Sociology

#36 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 65%

34. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Sociology

#37 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,811

35. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Sociology

#38 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,341

36. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Sociology

#39 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,551

37. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Sociology

#41 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,986

38. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Sociology

#42 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,440

39. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Sociology

#43 in North America

#69 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 44%

40. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Sociology

#44 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,533
Enrollment: 36,582

41. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Sociology

#45 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1289
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

42. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Sociology

#47 in North America

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

43. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Sociology

#48 in North America

#79 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 80%

44. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Sociology

#49 in North America

#81 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 88%

45. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Sociology

#50 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 77%

46. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Sociology

#51 in North America

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,689

47. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Sociology

#53 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $32,964

48. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Sociology

#54 in North America

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 84%

49. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Sociology

#57 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $37,967

50. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Sociology

#58 in North America

#100 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

51. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Sociology

#59 in North America

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

52. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Sociology

#61 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,732
Enrollment: 26,068

53. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Sociology

#62 in North America

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

54. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Sociology

#64 in North America

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,351

55. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Sociology

#65 in North America

#112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 66%

56. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Sociology

#66 in North America

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,900

57. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Sociology

#67 in North America

#115 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

58. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Sociology

#68 in North America

#116 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $41,028

59. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Sociology

#69 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

60. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Sociology

#70 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $45,466

61. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Sociology

#71 in North America

#122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

62. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Sociology

#72 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 68%

63. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Sociology

#74 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 83%

64. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Sociology

#75 in North America

#127 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 93%

65. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Minnesota | Rochester

For Sociology

#76 in North America

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Net Price: $11,577
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $1,900

66. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Sociology

#77 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

67. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Sociology

#78 in North America

#133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,608

68. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Sociology

#79 in North America

#142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

69. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Sociology

#81 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

70. University of Maryland, Baltimore

Maryland | Baltimore

For Sociology

#82 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,667
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1807

71. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Sociology

#83 in North America

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

72. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Sociology

#84 in North America

#151 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

73. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Sociology

#85 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,083

74. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alabama | Birmingham

For Sociology

#86 in North America

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 97%

75. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Sociology

#87 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 90%

76. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Sociology

#88 in North America

#157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

77. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Sociology

#89 in North America

#158 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $33,333

78. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Colorado | Denver

For Sociology

#90 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1100
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 90%

79. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Sociology

#91 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

80. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Sociology

#94 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

81. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Sociology

#95 in North America

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,590

82. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Sociology

#96 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $11,891
Enrollment: 30,205

83. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Sociology

#97 in North America

#178 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

84. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Sociology

#98 in North America

#179 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1210
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

85. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Sociology

#99 in North America

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1430
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 73%

86. Baylor College of Medicine

Texas | Houston

For Sociology

#100 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,699
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1900

87. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Sociology

#101 in North America

#183 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $51,520

88. Brigham Young University - Provo

Utah | Provo

For Sociology

#102 in North America

#187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $14,643

89. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Sociology

#104 in North America

#194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1030
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

90. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Sociology

#106 in North America

#201 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,564
Enrollment: 19,764

91. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Sociology

#107 in North America

#202 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

92. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Sociology

#108 in North America

#203 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

93. SUNY at Albany

New York State | Albany

For Sociology

#109 in North America

#204 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $9,747
Enrollment: 16,880

94. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Sociology

#110 in North America

#205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $17,322

95. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Sociology

#111 in North America

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 79%

96. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Sociology

#112 in North America

#212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $10,554
Enrollment: 33,500

97. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York State | New York City

For Sociology

#114 in North America

#217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,234
Male:Female: 39:61
Founded: 1963

98. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Sociology

#115 in North America

#221 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 75%
Average Aid: $21,566
Enrollment: 26,426

99. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Sociology

#117 in North America

#225 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $10,370
Enrollment: 26,490

100. Wake Forest University

North Carolina | Winston-Salem

For Sociology

#118 in North America

#226 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,790

The best cities to study Sociology in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cambridge, Ann Arbor, Stanford, and Seattle.