Sociology
“Challenge the status quo.”
“Think outside the norm.”
“Make a social impact.”
These are just a few of the reasons why our recent sociology students chose this major. So, is it right for you? Yes, if you want to use science to understand people, study social life, and dig into critical issues like health, poverty and race. It’s a great choice for someone who’s ready to tackle tough questions and examine not only the choices that society makes, but the context around those choices.
What will I learn?
As a sociology major, you’ll build your critical thinking skills by studying thought-provoking subjects such as sustainability, families, gender, race, ethnicity and aging.
While there are some required courses (typically in basic research methods and statistics), most of your classes will be courses that you can choose based on your interests. Which means you’ll be able to take classes in a wide range of topics that help you gain a deeper understanding of society.
What can I do with a sociology degree?
Director of operations at AmeriCorps. Management analyst for a health and human services agency. Wish coordinator for Make-A-Wish. These are some of the jobs that our alumni have held.
Whether you want to be a policy analyst, social justice advocate, diversity officer or a professor, a sociology degree can prepare you for a career or grad school in a variety of fields, including:
- Business.
- Law and law enforcement.
- Medicine.
- Health professions.
- Public policy.
- Recreation.
- Social work.
- Social policy and services.
- Urban planning.
As one of our grads said, “My sociology degree is being put to use almost every day in my work life because I work with people who have their own personalities, behaviors, traits, trends and ideas.”
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $47,950.00 | $23.05 | Rapid Growth, Many Openings |
| Sociologists | $134,430.00 | $64.63 | Rapid Growth |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $93,610.00 | $45.01 | Rapid Growth |
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | $86,220.00 | $41.45 |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.