Ranking of Sociology Graduate Programs

The rankings below have been generated just for you using the priorities you set on this page. You can change your priorities or get rankings for a different field.


How to Read Your Ranking

  • Programs are ranked by their score, a weighted sum of the items you chose. (Details)
  • Descriptions of each item are listed at the bottom of the page. (You can also see a description by mousing over items at the top of the table.)
  • Your weight for each item is shown beneath the item at the top of the table. Weights range in magnitude from 0 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
  • A positive weight means that you prefer larger values for the item. A negative weight means that you prefer smaller values for the item.
  • Green values are at least one standard deviation better than the mean. Red values are at least one standard deviation worse than the mean.
  • Data sources can be found below.

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Your Ranking of Sociology Graduate Schools

Click on a program to see a detailed profile
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1.Sociology and Rural Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison71.37.983%4.62.69.64.717.4693.271%650615
2.Sociology, University of California-Los Angeles60.88.773%3.83.110.04.412.0731.923%665630
3.Sociology, University of Chicago52.47.981%4.33.817.24.813.4256.240%715725
4.Sociology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor50.37.274%4.14.415.14.412.4364.557%680640
5.Sociology, Duke University45.76.2100%3.44.625.83.44.6192.622%725705
6.Demography Graduate Group (Soc. Dept.), University of Pennsylvania44.86.168%3.72.910.64.010.0311.921%725705
6.Sociology, University of Pennsylvania44.86.168%3.72.910.64.010.0311.921%725705
8.Sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill40.86.592%4.03.511.14.37.4253.136%650640
9.Sociology, The University of Texas at Austin38.86.265%3.62.47.73.613.6381.551%630605
10.Sociology, University of California-Berkeley31.38.280%3.61.12.34.610.6333.325%685645
11.Sociology, Stanford University29.96.789%3.82.49.54.15.6155.112%735720
12.Sociology, Princeton University28.56.795%3.31.72.53.85.2181.411%745735
13.Sociology, University of Washington-Seattle Campus26.06.779%3.73.08.84.06.4302.567%610590
14.Social Policy, Harvard University24.87.583%3.62.47.34.24.6174.89%745745
14.Sociology, Harvard University24.87.583%3.62.47.34.24.6174.89%745745
16.Sociology, Brown University23.55.769%3.22.67.02.86.2232.715%725710
16.Sociology, Indiana University-Bloomington23.56.993%3.92.16.63.97.2302.585%560550
18.Sociology, University of Maryland-College Park23.45.781%3.03.07.93.15.2291.749%650625
19.Sociology, University of California-San Francisco23.26.283%2.66.525.72.52.6171.857%*623*605*
20.Sociology, Johns Hopkins University22.96.792%3.53.310.23.63.8112.935%705680
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
21.Sociology, Northwestern University22.88.774%3.62.57.84.16.0252.830%715695
22.Rural Sociology, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus21.05.868%3.53.17.13.55.8271.258%610580
22.Sociology, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus21.05.868%3.53.17.13.55.8271.258%610580
24.Sociology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign19.87.383%3.12.68.43.34.0351.468%675615
25.Sociology, Columbia University in the City of New York19.68.169%3.31.63.83.89.8194.213%725715
26.Sociology, University of Florida18.05.764%2.73.66.52.75.0350.657%640620
27.Sociology, Ohio State University-Main Campus16.07.282%3.22.86.93.36.8322.873%580560
28.Demography, University of California-Berkeley15.68.280%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*10.622*2.6*25%685645
29.Sociology, Yale University15.57.050%3.02.216.73.54.0182.810%740740
30.Development Sociology, Cornell University15.45.981%3.11.56.83.05.6121.927%710675
30.Sociology, Cornell University15.45.981%3.11.56.83.05.6121.927%710675
32.Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University13.36.792%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*3.822*2.6*35%705680
33.Sociology, University of California-Santa Barbara13.08.279%3.12.811.23.36.4252.653%600580
34.Sociology, SUNY at Albany12.88.768%3.24.410.13.29.0243.356%575555
35.Sociology, Iowa State University12.15.570%2.83.26.42.25.2351.490%620595
36.Sociology, Vanderbilt University10.96.986%2.91.63.83.33.6171.735%695675
37.Sociology, Emory University10.67.9100%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*3.422*2.6*39%700680
38.Sociology, Baylor University9.74.297%*2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*1.422*2.6*66%605595
39.Sociology, University of California-San Diego9.48.074%3.01.12.03.35.0341.439%655605
40.Sociology, Washington State University9.16.779%3.03.15.53.15.8262.574%560545
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
41.Sociology, Boston University8.47.771%2.62.526.82.71.8232.555%655645
42.Sociology & Anthropology, Purdue University-Main Campus7.46.577%2.41.31.92.410.4332.185%590555
42.Sociology, University of Nebraska at Lincoln7.46.196%2.62.87.92.04.8181.375%605595
44.Sociology, University of Notre Dame7.37.770%2.61.93.42.66.6232.032%700685
45.Sociology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities6.98.270%3.22.47.23.35.4251.770%630600
46.Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, Kansas State University6.65.285%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*2.222*2.6*48%623*605*
47.Sociology, New York University6.18.075%2.91.51.83.35.8212.437%665665
48.Sociology, University of Arizona4.77.787%3.41.74.23.85.8193.188%565560
49.Sociology, Case Western Reserve University2.06.986%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*1.422*2.6*68%690650
49.Sociology & Criminology, University of Delaware2.05.7100%1.91.14.22.02.2250.547%610595
51.Sociology, University of Georgia1.95.967%2.62.93.82.64.0201.362%615610
52.Sociology, University of Miami1.66.980%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*2.622*2.6*46%640620
53.Sociology, Cornell University-Ny State Statutory Colleges1.57.3*72%*2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*2.222*2.6*30%680665
54.Sociology, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway1.28.083%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*5.822*2.6*61%615580
54.Rural Sociology, South Dakota State University1.24.863%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*4.622*2.6*93%623*605*
56.Sociology, University of South Carolina-Columbia0.36.785%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*3.822*2.6*67%580570
57.Sociology, University of California-Riverside0.07.468%2.93.34.63.36.2182.274%565510
58.Sociology, Florida State University-0.77.779%3.02.44.03.03.2222.162%585575
58.Sociology, The New School-0.78.767%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*9.822*2.6*51%560565
60.Sociology, Texas A & M University-0.87.258%2.73.24.52.55.4251.870%615585
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
61.Gerontology, University of Southern California-1.08.272%2.71.53.62.85.2194.227%690665
61.Sociology (excluding Criminology), University of Southern California-1.08.272%2.71.53.62.85.2194.227%690665
63.Sociology, Stony Brook University-1.28.277%3.31.63.53.33.2233.251%610570
64.Sociology, University of Iowa-2.47.577%2.92.46.42.84.2171.984%600585
65.Sociology, Boston College-3.07.958%2.51.114.82.36.0173.731%680655
65.Sociology, Wayne State University-3.06.763%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*4.022*2.6*63%623*605*
67.Sociology, University of Colorado at Boulder-3.57.166%2.31.74.72.39.8223.288%600580
68.Native American Studies, University of California-Davis-4.38.571%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*5.822*2.6*55%615565
69.Sociology, University of Illinois at Chicago-4.77.767%2.42.65.72.72.2270.958%605570
70.Sociology, Teachers College at Columbia University-5.77.3*75%*2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*1.222*2.6*57%*623*605*
70.Sociology, University of California-Davis-5.78.571%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*5.022*2.6*55%615565
72.Sociology - SOC, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University-5.95.758%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*2.422*2.6*72%615585
73.Sociology - SOCI, University of Kentucky-7.06.862%2.42.12.42.45.6262.079%575565
74.Sociology, North Carolina State University at Raleigh-7.28.765%2.42.33.82.16.0282.059%615580
75.Sociology, Tulane University of Louisiana-7.66.175%1.72.83.91.92.4132.645%680670
76.Sociology, Michigan State University-8.39.678%2.72.33.92.75.8263.976%585555
77.Sociology, University of Virginia-Main Campus-9.47.861%2.51.43.02.64.4142.438%670655
78.Sociology, Syracuse University-9.75.258%2.51.01.82.24.0192.365%620595
79.Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham-9.86.562%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*3.222*2.6*88%570560
80.Sociology, SUNY at Binghamton-10.38.869%2.82.21.53.07.2138.043%650615
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
81.Sociology (Doctorate Only), CUNY Graduate School and University Center-11.69.463%2.61.30.82.910.8239.357%*623*605*
81.Sociology, Florida International University-11.65.936%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*4.622*2.6*61%550555
81.Sociology (including Criminal Justice), Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College-11.66.968%2.21.91.92.13.2241.178%600575
84.Sociology, Northeastern University-11.79.753%2.02.311.32.06.0241.447%625605
84.Sociology, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus-11.77.271%2.22.53.52.22.0172.649%625610
86.Sociology, Brigham Young University-12.98.971%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*1.822*2.6*78%620605
87.Sociology, University of Connecticut-13.48.175%2.20.80.92.53.0262.551%600585
88.Sociology, University of Akron Main Campus-14.56.988%1.62.22.21.32.0171.257%*623*605*
89.Sociology, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus-16.65.775%*2.01.52.62.02.0131.072%570560
90.Sociology, University of California-Irvine-17.19.563%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*1.222*2.6*52%620580
91.Sociology, University of Massachusetts-Amherst-17.310.771%2.92.33.82.83.4232.980%575565
92.Sociology, University of Kansas Main Campus-18.28.575%2.11.32.82.13.2161.369%623*605*
93.Sociology, Brandeis University-18.98.473%2.31.52.52.22.4115.340%675675
94.Sociology and Social Work, Texas Woman's University-19.16.547%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*2.422*2.6*64%480485
95.Rural Sociology, University of Missouri-Columbia-19.88.965%2.11.61.92.16.2172.183%595600
95.Sociology, University of Missouri-Columbia-19.88.965%2.11.61.92.16.2172.183%595600
97.Sociology, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus-19.97.680%1.14.07.71.23.0112.386%623*605*
98.Sociology, University of Nevada-Las Vegas-20.79.777%*2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*2.022*2.6*81%515500
99.Sociology, Mississippi State University-21.37.986%1.50.80.81.34.8162.169%623*605*
99.Sociology, University of New Mexico-Main Campus-21.36.831%2.6*2.2*5.8*2.7*2.822*2.6*74%535540
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
101.Sociology, The University of Tennessee-21.85.771%1.20.91.31.64.2131.544%555555
102.Sociology, SUNY at Buffalo-24.06.753%1.72.34.51.83.8123.356%595565
102.Sociology, University of Oregon-24.08.756%2.21.82.72.34.4212.291%560555
104.Sociology, Western Michigan University-24.56.776%1.50.20.41.33.4181.685%623*605*
105.Sociology, Temple University-24.98.156%2.00.62.92.23.8252.563%550540
106.Sociology, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus-25.75.756%1.62.01.01.63.4201.290%515515
107.Sociology and Anthropology, Loyola University Chicago-26.17.582%2.00.30.52.04.4105.274%585590
108.Sociology, American University-26.26.959%1.40.50.61.56.0134.451%625645
109.Sociology, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus-26.56.765%1.71.73.21.93.4153.491%560550
110.Sociology, University of California-Santa Cruz-26.98.769%2.41.11.02.43.4114.169%585580
111.Sociology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale-27.56.775%1.41.71.61.63.8111.677%520520
112.Sociology, Colorado State University-30.37.3*75%*1.52.01.41.41.2141.488%565555
113.Sociology, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus-30.86.086%0.91.71.11.31.292.377%565545
114.Sociology, Georgia State University-32.98.072%1.02.43.01.13.2101.756%550540
114.Sociology and Anthropology, Howard University-32.96.937%1.81.11.41.64.0142.447%565560
116.Sociology, University of North Texas-34.27.863%1.20.50.31.15.2181.869%555545
117.Sociology, Utah State University-35.88.769%1.31.71.71.13.2150.792%555550
118.Sociology, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus-38.14.975%0.70.60.20.63.4107.051%565555
119.Sociology, University of Utah-40.39.777%*1.50.70.11.30.6152.486%623*605*
120.Sociology, Fordham University-42.29.156%1.22.02.11.42.0125.150%590600
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
121.Sociology, Kent State University-Kent Campus-42.410.285%1.12.22.81.23.2133.894%515515
122.Sociology, University of Hawaii at Manoa-44.08.736%1.20.70.51.63.4191.765%570535

Item Descriptions

Your Score
Your customized program score is a weighted sum of points for each item. The weights were selected on this page. For an item with importance weight W, a program receives W × S points for being S standard deviations above average. Larger values are better.
Years to Degree (Yrs)
Median time lapse from entering graduate school at the doctorate-granting institution to receipt of doctorate in years. Note that time spent obtaining a master's degree at a different institution is not counted. Your weight = -4. Smaller values are better. (SED, 2000-2004)
Placement Rate (Job)
Percentage of doctorate recipients from the program with definite plans at graduation (either a job or a postdoctoral position). Your weight = 4. Larger values are better. (SED, 2000-2004)
Educational Effectiveness (Ed Eff)
Program effectiveness in educating research scholars and scientists, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not Effective" and 5 denoting "Extremely Effective." Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Publications per Faculty Member (Pub / Fac)
The ratio of the number of program publications in the period 1988-1992 to the number of program faculty. Your weight = 3. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Citations per Faculty Member (Cite / Fac)
The ratio of the number of citations of program publications in the period 1988-1992 to the number of program faculty. Your weight = 3. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Faculty Quality (Fac Qual)
Scholarly quality of program faculty, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not sufficient for doctoral education" and 5 denoting "Distinguished." Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Doctorates Granted per Year (Deg / Yr)
The average number of doctorates granted by the program per year between 2001 and 2005. Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2001-2005)
Number of Faculty (# Fac)
Total number of faculty participating in the program. Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Grad Student / Faculty Ratio (Stu / Fac)
The number of graduate students per faculty member. Your weight = -2. Smaller values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Undergraduate Acceptance Rate (UG Acc)
The percentage of applicants the institution accepts into its undergraduate programs. Your weight = -2. Smaller values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Math SAT Score (SAT-M)
The average of the 25th and 75th percentile mathematics SAT scores for undergraduates at the institution. Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Verbal SAT Score (SAT-V)
The average of the 25th and 75th percentile verbal SAT scores for undergraduates at the institution. Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Missing Values
Missing values have been replaced with the average value for all programs in the field.

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
IPEDS is an annual, comprehensive set of surveys of all colleges and universities in the United States. The surveys are conducted by the National Center for Education StatisticsLearn more
National Research Council
The National Research Council conducts assessments of doctoral programs in the United States every 10 to 15 years). The data we use are from the most recent assessment, the 1995 study Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States: Continuity and Change. Learn more about the NRC study's methods here; order a copy here. The next NRC assessment is scheduled for release in Summer 2009.  Learn more
Survey of Earned Doctorates
The NSF/NIH/NEH/USED/USDA/NASA Survey of Earned Doctorates is an annual survey of all new recipients of doctorates from US universities at graduation. The average of the response rates for the 2000–2004 surveys was 92%.  Learn more
Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering
The Survey is an annual assessment of the number and characteristics of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in science, engineering, and health-related fields. It is conducted by the National Science FoundationLearn more
* Value is missing. The value shown is based on the average for other programs in the same field. Learn more.
Data are for all Sociology degree recipients from the institution and may include graduates from more than one program.
The graduate school rankings on PhDs.org have been made possible by
grants from The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and The Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
The Center for Science and the Media served as the project's fiscal sponsor.