In this ranking, we examine the best value colleges for an online sociology degree.
Key Takeaways:
- The top two schools in the ranking for online sociology degree programs are California State University Chico and Arizona State University.
- Sociology degrees offer valuable insights into human behavior, societal dynamics, and cultural complexities, preparing graduates for careers in social research, human resources, and community outreach.
- Online sociology programs provide flexibility for students to complete their degrees in about four years, with an average tuition and fees cost of $25,910.
Some people might be quick to dismiss sociology as a degree choice. It doesn’t have the targeted career appeal of a degree in a field like business, nor does it have an emphasis on the science and tech skills that are in-demand in the 21st century. That being said, there are plenty of reasons to pursue a major in sociology. Understanding the way that people think and interact, the motivations that drive behavior and decision making, and how to interact with others will prove invaluable in almost any career field. Students who need to finish their bachelor’s degree or are thinking of a career change should consider earning an online sociology degree. Attending a community college, either in or out of state, can lower costs considerably. Just make sure you know the transfer policies of the college you plan to attend. In particular, the colleges below all offer affordable programs with great potential – plus the convenience of online learning!
Featured Programs
20. University of North Alabama
Online Sociology Major
A bachelor’s degree in sociology can be your gateway to any number of promising careers, ranging from public health and law enforcement to family services and community planning. Courses like Current Social Problems, Marriage and the Family, and Sociology of Leisure and Recreation provide insights into daily life that are often lost on other students. The University of North Alabama makes it easy for working students to earn their sociology degree online by offering all required courses for the major in a digital format. In addition, a number of electives serve to augment their understanding of sociological concepts.
Net Price: $10,118/yr
Score: 55.07
19. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Online Bachelor’s Degree Program in Sociology
If you are a current student with at least 60 credits or a transfer student with an Associate of Arts degree, you are eligible to complete your sociology degree online at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. With nearly every required course available online every semester—including fascinating upper level coursework such as Digital Society, Eco-Feminism and Nature Ethics, Intersections of Privilege, and Sociology of Medicine—it’s never been more convenient to excel in your studies. UCCS even lets you finish your senior capstone project remotely, allowing you to build your schedule around your life, not the other way around.
Net Price: $13,722/yr
Score: 55.95
18. University of Northern Colorado
Online Sociology Bachelor of Arts
Website
As the scientific study of human society, the practice of sociology provides many valuable and marketable skills for young people to bring into a new career. At the University of Northern Colorado, students earning their sociology degrees online develop strong communication and analysis skills and learn to process quantitative and qualitative data. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply your insights into culture and behavior to issues in your own life. The best part? Students don’t have to choose between their work and their education. With condensed, accelerated classes, UNC makes it possible to earn 12 credits a term while taking just two classes at a time.
Net Price: $12,978/yr
Score: 56.20
17. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Website
As one of the top 50 sociology degrees online (according to U.S. News) and a low net price, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin is one of the best options for students looking to earn their degree on a budget. UTPB pulls out all the stops to make students’ educational experience as seamless and efficient as possible, with 8-week courses, identical faculty and coursework to on-campus curriculum, and six flexible start-dates throughout the year. Along with accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and a tempting 12-month timeline, this online sociology degree offers a quality experience at a quick pace.
Net Price: $8,245/yr
Score: 56.89
16. Fort Hays State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Website
The online sociology degree program at Fort Hays State University combines a liberal arts core with a thorough introduction to sociological methods. Requirements in foreign language, international studies, and general education distributions ensure students get the strong interdisciplinary foundation they need to apprehend the furthest reaches of sociology and its implications. From there, FHSU’s online students can pursue fascinating research into the study of everyday human behavior and its effects on society. Courses such as Principles of Culture, Social Inequality, and Popular Culture provide a breadth of understanding that students can take into an equally broad range of careers.
Net Price: $11,698/yr
Score: 56.95
15. Central Washington University
Online Sociology Degree
In just two years, a bachelor’s degree in sociology can be yours through Central Washington University’s inexpensive online sociology degree program. Over the course of this 45 credit-hour major, students delve into complex social issues like crime and criminality, economic and social inequality, and the structures of social institutions. The ultimate goal is for students to acquire a “big picture” understanding of human social behavior and relationships. And as long as students have an associate’s degree or enough transfer credits to satisfy CWU’s general education requirements, they can finish this degree from home on their own schedule.
Net Price: $14,199/yr
Score: 58.08
14. Oregon State University
Online B.A./B.S. Sociology
Website
For two years running, Oregon State University has received one of the highest online sociology degree rankings from U.S. News and World Report. With accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and faculty renowned around the world for their research, OSU helps students reach their full potential through a rigorous curriculum. Sociology students engage critically with topics like class, gender, and culture alongside studies in modernization and globalization, gaining a sense of self-awareness that will serve them well in diverse careers. As a result, OSU sociology grads find jobs in law, social services, education, and other industries that rely on strong human understanding.
Net Price: $16,462/yr
Score: 58.14
13. South Dakota State University
Online Bachelor of Science – Sociology
Website
Those looking to understand the whole picture and their place within it are well suited to be sociologists. At South Dakota State University, sociology students try to make sense of family dynamics, crime and deviant behavior, government policy, and more through qualitative and statistical analysis of human behavior patterns. Through the process of earning their sociology degree online, SDSU students develop a better picture of society and learn to use evidence to build arguments. Lastly, a solid grounding in communication skills will help you explain your findings to other sociologists and laypeople alike.
Net Price: $15,380/yr
Score: 58.64
12. University of Nebraska at Kearney
Online Bachelor of Science in Sociology Degree Completion Program
Website
Designed to accommodate working and rural students who require more flexible scheduling, the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s online Bachelor of Science in Sociology completion program is one of the most convenient and affordable ways to earn a degree from home. Although UNK’s prerequisite and general studies courses are not available through distance ed., transfer students and associate’s degree holders can finish this 36 credit-hour program entirely online. And thanks to its flexibility, you’ll be able to work through the entire online sociology degree – including the 24 credit-hour required minor – in just a few years, even while holding down a full-time job.
Net Price: $14,553/yr
Score: 60.21
11. Western Kentucky University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Website
If you think about it, so much of human life and activity is social—which means it falls under the purview of sociology. Choosing to pursue an online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at Western Kentucky University therefore allows you to examine virtually any subject that interests you, from the sociology of labor to the sociology of pop music. Along the way, you’ll improve your oral and written and communication skills; learn to work collaboratively with others; and articulate and solve problems you didn’t even realize existed before. And before you know it, you’ll end up earning your online sociology degree without ever having to attend a single class in person.
Net Price: $11,072/yr
Score: 60.65
10. Nicholls State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Nicholls State University provides one of the best online sociology degrees available today by synthesizing the study of sociological insights with the analytical and statistical tools that are so essential for social science research. Starting from square one, Nicholls students attend computer literacy and oral communications seminars, gaining valuable skills in areas like database research and public speaking. After completing an interdisciplinary general education requirement, online learners delve into their major, tackling the complex social structures and interpersonal relationships that undergird cultural institutions. At the end of the day, graduates will possess the skills they need to not only be capable sociologists but high functioning members of society as well.
Net Price: $9,369/yr
Score: 61.40
9. North Dakota State University
Online B.S. in Sociology
For many people, inequality, diversity, gender, and healthcare are merely facts of life or political talking points. At North Dakota State University, students pursuing their sociology degrees online have the exciting opportunity to actually treat these subjects with the care and attention they deserve. Through the deployment of critical theory, empirical research, and statistical analysis, sociology students at NDSU are able to take a closer look at the issues that they care about the most. Many NDSU learners take their education one step further and pursue for-credit internships in human services and community development.
Net Price: $14,249/yr
Score: 61.52
8. Fayetteville State University
Online Degree Completion Program (BA in Sociology)
If you’re looking to go back to school and finish your degree, make sure to consider Fayetteville State University’s affordable online sociology degree. Since the university’s core curriculum is not available online, this program is perfect for students who started a degree program but took time off to pursue their careers or start a family. In just 38 credit hours, students can walk away with a bachelor’s degree that they can put towards a career in teaching, human services, or advanced education in their field. To see if online education is suited to your learning style, try out a sample class on the Blackboard Academic Suite through Fayetteville’s website.
Net Price: $6,848/yr
Score: 61.90
7. Westfield State University
Online Sociology Degree (B.A.) Completion Program
Website
A bachelor’s degree in sociology is not the only way to reconcile the relationship between your individuality and your greater role in the social sphere, but it’s certainly one of the most useful. Designed to help graduates and transfer students from Massachusetts Community College earn their four-year sociology degrees online, Westfield State University’s completion program offers classes in flexible and accelerated schedules. You can even take a quick two-week course over Winter Break to ensure you’re constantly moving forward in the program. Westfield also provides advantages outside of the classroom through internships and independent study options that provide hands-on experience in the field.
Net Price: $15,498/yr
Score: 62.09
6. Northern Arizona University
Online Bachelor of Sociology
Website
Many students struggle to reconcile their desire to make a difference in the world with an uncertainty about how to change it. Luckily, the online sociology degree from Northern Arizona University offers students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the social structures in place that prevent positive change. Over the course of four years, students also acquire a broad knowledge base and skill set that will help them overcome these obstacles. Right after graduation, many sociology majors from NAU go on to helping professions in social services, youth advocacy, and rehab counseling. As a bonus, this bachelor’s degree will also qualify you for graduate programs that can lead to a meaningful career in law, research, or academia.
Net Price: $12,946/yr
Score: 62.28
5. University of Nebraska at Omaha
Online General Studies Degree: Sociology Concentration
Website
The University of Nebraska Omaha developed the Division of Continuing Studies in the 1940s to provide working adults with a second chance to better themselves through higher education. Today, it remains one of the largest departments in the university and has become increasingly popular thanks to recent advances in distance education. Although it’s formatted as a Bachelor of General Studies Degree, this online sociology degree holds the same value as any bachelor’s program at UNO. And with an unparalleled array of concentrations for every interest and aspiration, it’s not surprising that U.S. News has named this one of the best online sociology degree programs in the country.
Net Price: $10,979/yr
Score: 64.34
4. McNeese State University
Online Sociology Degree
Making a living is tough enough in today’s economy without having to attend class at 8:00am every other morning. That’s why McNeese State University developed an online sociology degree program just for adults. McNeese’s accelerated, remote coursework is available in two seven-week sessions per regular semester plus three- and six-week sessions during the summer to allow students to sustain their focus on one course at a time while obtaining credits at a full-time rate. Naturally, this independence and responsibility requires the exceptional commitment level of serious students. As such, McNeese limits admission to students above 25 year old.
Net Price: $8,722/yr
Score: 65.10
3. University of Central Florida
Online Sociology B.A.
Website
With a comprehensive, four-year bachelor’s program with a liberal arts core, for-credit internships, and flexible online courses, it is clear that the University of Central Florida offers one of the best online sociology degrees around. Like a conventional liberal arts degree, online sociology majors at UCF develop a strong set of core competencies through robust general education requirements in communications, culture and history, math, and social and natural sciences. Only once they have mastered the basics can students move onto the more challenging topics like Mass Culture and Collective Behavior. Applying theory, models, statistics, and data analysis to social issues allows UCF students to engage substantively with otherwise baffling questions.
Net Price: $14,745/yr
Score: 67.10
2. Arizona State University
Online Sociology (BS)
Website
As part of the School of Social and Family Dynamics, the online sociology degree program at ASU encourages students to dismantle and interrogate traditional social institutions like marriage and the family in order to uncover their true roles in our society. Of course, the investigations don’t end there! Course requirements in global health, digital technology, and women’s health encourage sociology students to turn their critical lens to all of the big issues that hide in plain sight. In the course of their studies, students develop strong research, communication, and critical thinking skills that will be indispensable in a variety of careers.
Net Price: $12,191/yr
Score: 79.19
1. California State University Chico
Online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Degree Completion Program
Website
Most people seem to have an idea of how the world should be, but few people understand how to support their claims with evidence. Even fewer possess such evidence or know how to acquire it! As a sociology major at California State University at Chico, you will develop the data analysis skills, research and writing abilities, and integrity necessary to provide meaningful accounts of the state of social institutions. Learn to speak clearly on important issues in education, business, medicine, and more. And not only will you get to earn your sociology degree online, you’ll also get the chance to intern at an agency of your choice and apply your new skills in the real world.
Net Price: $11,781/yr
Score: 79.44
See our methodology page for more information about how we calculated this ranking.
Sources:
College Navigator
By CVO Staff
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