Best Online Sociology Degrees
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Sociology Degree Online
A bachelor’s degree in sociology helps students develop a deep understanding of human behavior, society, and social groups. Earning a sociology degree online develops skills in statistical analysis, quantitative reasoning, and complex problem-solving. These skills qualify learners to work in sociology-related fields and other fields that rely on the same versatile skill set.
This guide contains advice on how to capitalize on a sociology degree. It offers an overview of the discipline and ranks some of the best online sociology programs. It also addresses frequently asked questions, career prospects, and earning potential.
Featured Online Schools
The Best Online Bachelor’s in Sociology
University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, FL- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$3,358
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance Rate32%
- Students Enrolled3,926
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- In-State$8,912
- Out-of-state$21,393
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled58,711
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,478
- Out-of-state$19,810
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate44%
- Students Enrolled69,402
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Nicholls State University
- Thibodaux, LA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,922
- Out-of-state$6,015
- In-State$5,686
- Out-of-state$6,779
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled6,491
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Alabama
- Florence, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,600
- Out-of-state$19,200
- In-State$6,660
- Out-of-state$13,320
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled7,702
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
Fort Hays State University
- Hays, KS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,990
- Out-of-state$14,070
- In-State$3,582
- Out-of-state$10,206
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled15,908
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Arizona State University-Skysong
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,867
- Out-of-state$19,282
- In-State$6,384
- Out-of-state$6,384
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled45,073
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
Arkansas State University-Main Campus
- Jonesboro, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,540
- Out-of-state$13,500
- In-State$4,986
- Out-of-state$9,972
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled13,356
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
UMass Global
- Irvine, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,000
- Out-of-state$12,000
- In-State$11,880
- Out-of-state$11,880
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled10,231
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
Oregon State University
- Corvallis, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,846
- Out-of-state$29,445
- In-State$12,933
- Out-of-state$24,975
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled31,719
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Averett University-Non-Traditional Programs
- Danville, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,520
- Out-of-state$11,520
- In-State$11,790
- Out-of-state$11,790
- Retention Rate50%
- Acceptance Rate24%
- Students Enrolled485
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Kennesaw State University
- Kennesaw, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,450
- Out-of-state$15,704
- In-State$5,328
- Out-of-state$19,188
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled37,807
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
- Kenosha, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,298
- Out-of-state$14,568
- In-State$8,028
- Out-of-state$17,622
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled4,388
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Columbus State Community College
- Columbus, OH
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,588
- Out-of-state$9,540
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled28,159
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
University of West Georgia
- Carrollton, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,371
- Out-of-state$15,426
- In-State$4,338
- Out-of-state$16,830
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled13,238
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
California Baptist University
- Riverside, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,942
- Out-of-state$32,942
- In-State$12,830
- Out-of-state$12,830
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled11,045
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
- Denver, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,920
- Out-of-state$24,408
- In-State$6,786
- Out-of-state$22,590
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled24,910
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
South Dakota State University
- Brookings, SD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,697
- Out-of-state$11,172
- In-State$8,083
- Out-of-state$15,541
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled11,512
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
California State University, Fullerton
- Fullerton, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled40,445
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
McKendree University
- Lebanon, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,540
- Out-of-state$30,540
- In-State$9,522
- Out-of-state$9,522
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled2,292
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Programs
Bachelors in Sociology
2023
Online Bachelor’s in Sociology Degree Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Rankings MethodologyWhat Is An Online Bachelor’s in Sociology Degree?
An online sociology degree introduces learners to the history, development, and contemporary expressions of the field. Degree-seekers receive broad-based instruction in the liberal arts with a special emphasis on the social factors, norms, and values that influence collective human behavior over time. Most programs also explore how to analyze individual instances of social behavior and relate those findings to broader issues like race, gender, class, family structures, and national identity.
Most students pursue this degree immediately following high school, although some programs prefer learners with some college experience. Graduates often find entry-level positions or pursue a master’s degree.
Choosing an Online Program
Choosing an appropriate program depends on factors like tuition, career goals, curriculum, and delivery method. Click the link below to learn more about how to select the right online sociology degree for you.
What Else Can I Expect From a Bachelor’s in Sociology Program?
Schools offering an online sociology degree tend to have similar learning objectives. Some programs may also offer concentrations or specializations, which let learners explore additional interests and develop skills that align with their professional goals.
The section below looks at some common courses in a typical online sociology degree.
Bachelor’s in Sociology Curriculum
Sociological Theory
This course covers the philosophical roots of social theories and how they have developed over time. Other topics include approaches to human nature; the structure and functioning of social groups; conflict, cohesion and social control; and the articulation of the individual and society.
Research Methods in Sociology
This course introduces students to research design and measurement techniques that they may need for future sociology careers. Students evaluate existing research, design a research project, collect data, and analyze the data using SPSS Statistics.
Social Inequality
This course examines major theoretical approaches to the study of social inequality and empirical research on wealth, income, race, and gender stratification. Lectures and assignments cover classical and contemporary sociological theories; comparative analyses of the structure of inequality; the U.S. class structure; and global perspectives on poverty, wealth, and social mobility.
Sociology Careers
Below are three careers that require the technical knowledge and applied skills that students develop during an online sociology degree. These are just a few example careers; there are many other options that sociology graduates can pursue.
Frequently Asked Questions
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