Best Sociology Programs in the West (2026)
Updated
Regional list from Best Sociology Programs in the United States
This page ranks the 95 Sociology programs in the West by the median earnings of Sociology graduates four years after completing. University of California-Berkeley ranks 1st on this list, reporting median earnings of $71,363 for its graduates four years after completing.
Across the listed programs, the figure ranges from $71,363 to $24,267, with a median of $53,387. For 14 of the 95 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions make up 67% of the list, with 64 public and 31 private nonprofit programs. California State University-Los Angeles posts the lowest average net price on the page, at $3,967.
University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA | $71,363 | $13,481 | $5,311 | 11.0% |
| University of California-Berkeley reports $71,363 in median earnings for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 11%. | |||||
| 2 | University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA | $70,555 | $32,740 | $13,516 | 9.8% |
| A private nonprofit university in Los Angeles, University of Southern California ranks 2nd on this list and shows a median of $70,555 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | $69,883 | $16,665 | $7,529 | 31.3% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo left with a median of $18,500 in federal loans, and the school's Sociology graduates earned a median of $69,883 four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | Loyola Marymount University · Los Angeles, CA | $68,053 | $48,381 | $32,268 | 45.1% |
| Loyola Marymount University ranks 4th on this list with median earnings of $68,053 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, and reports an average net price of $48,381. | |||||
| 5 | California Lutheran University · Thousand Oaks, CA | $67,998 | $30,109 | $22,161 | 75.7% |
| California Lutheran University admits 76% of applicants and reports median earnings of $67,998 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $64,692 | $12,548 | $5,579 | 9.0% |
| University of California-Los Angeles posts median earnings of $64,692 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 696 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 7 | Central Washington University · Ellensburg, WA | $63,608 | $18,476 | $11,846 | 90.6% |
| Central Washington University reports an average net price of $18,476 and median earnings of $63,608 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | Gonzaga University · Spokane, WA | $62,626 | $35,119 | $20,833 | 81.7% |
| Gonzaga University ranks 8th on this list, and its Sociology graduates earned a median of $62,626 four years after completing. | |||||
| 9 | University of Redlands · Redlands, CA | $62,516 | $30,031 | $28,287 | 82.7% |
| University of Redlands shows median federal debt of $26,000 across all of the school's borrowers who completed, alongside median earnings of $62,516 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | California State University-East Bay · Hayward, CA | $62,427 | $9,320 | $6,360 | 97.4% |
| California State University-East Bay admits 97% of applicants and reports median earnings of $62,427 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 11 | San Francisco State University · San Francisco, CA | $62,385 | $12,278 | $9,341 | 96.4% |
| San Francisco State University reports an average net price of $12,278 and median earnings of $62,385 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 12 | Chapman University · Orange, CA | $62,047 | $46,555 | $33,559 | 65.4% |
| Chapman University ranks 12th on this list, with median earnings of $62,047 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 65%. | |||||
| 13 | University of San Francisco · San Francisco, CA | $61,883 | $41,431 | $31,537 | 61.7% |
| University of San Francisco, a private nonprofit university in San Francisco, reports median earnings of $61,883 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, with 44 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 14 | University of La Verne · La Verne, CA | $61,350 | $20,161 | $20,151 | 71.2% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $23,500 in federal loans at University of La Verne, which ranks 14th on this list and posts a 71% admission rate. | |||||
| 15 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus · Seattle, WA | $60,292 | $14,091 | $6,384 | 39.2% |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus admits 39% of applicants and shows an average net price of $14,091, alongside median earnings of $60,292 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 16 | Brigham Young University · Provo, UT | $60,277 | $15,564 | $10,444 | 67.8% |
| Brigham Young University ranks 27th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $60,277 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 17 | University of California-Santa Barbara · Santa Barbara, CA | $60,013 | $16,109 | $9,231 | 33.0% |
| With 672 graduates in the earnings cohort, University of California-Santa Barbara posts median earnings of $60,013 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $16,109. | |||||
| 18 | Pacific Lutheran University · Tacoma, WA | $59,853 | $19,589 | $13,609 | 78.0% |
| Pacific Lutheran University carries a median federal debt of $22,578 across all of its borrowers who completed, and its Sociology graduates four years after completing earn a median of $59,853. | |||||
| 19 | Mount Saint Mary's University · Los Angeles, CA | $59,575 | $21,413 | $23,849 | 73.1% |
| Mount Saint Mary's University ranks 19th on this list, with an average net price of $23,849 for families earning under $30,000 and a 73% admission rate. | |||||
| 20 | University of California-Davis · Davis, CA | $59,171 | $14,741 | $9,211 | 41.8% |
| University of California-Davis reports median earnings of $59,171 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing and ranks 18th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 21 | Occidental College · Los Angeles, CA | $58,598 | $38,263 | $20,705 | 44.2% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Los Angeles, Occidental College shows an average net price of $38,263 and median earnings of $58,598 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 22 | University of the Pacific · Stockton, CA | $58,275 | $25,447 | $17,004 | 71.3% |
| University of the Pacific admits 71% of applicants, and graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $19,500 in federal loans. | |||||
| 23 | University of Colorado Boulder · Boulder, CO | $58,026 | $25,346 | $14,231 | 78.1% |
| An average net price of $25,346 and median earnings of $58,026 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing are reported by University of Colorado Boulder, with 216 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 24 | Washington State University · Pullman, WA | $57,846 | $14,971 | $7,074 | 86.6% |
| Washington State University ranks 129th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $7,074 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 25 | Whitworth University · Spokane, WA | $57,755 | $26,534 | $16,788 | 89.8% |
| Whitworth University reports median earnings of $57,755 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $26,534. | |||||
| 26 | Western Colorado University · Gunnison, CO | $57,359 | $16,425 | $11,490 | 99.7% |
| A public university in Gunnison, Western Colorado University admits 100% of applicants and its Sociology graduates earn a median of $57,359 four years after completing. | |||||
| 27 | Colorado State University-Fort Collins · Fort Collins, CO | $57,300 | $21,279 | $13,259 | 88.5% |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins ranks 200th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Sociology graduates four years after completing earn a median of $57,300. | |||||
| 28 | Eastern Washington University · Cheney, WA | $56,992 | $13,886 | $9,547 | 90.8% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $19,500 in federal loans at Eastern Washington University, where the Sociology program reports median earnings of $56,992 four years after completing. | |||||
| 29 | California State University-Sacramento · Sacramento, CA | $56,886 | $9,338 | $6,501 | 94.0% |
| California State University-Sacramento reports an average net price of $6,501 for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $56,886 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 30 | Oregon State University · Corvallis, OR | $56,865 | $19,604 | $12,107 | 77.3% |
| Oregon State University ranks 30th on this list, with a 77% admission rate and median earnings of $56,865 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 31 | California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, CA | $56,855 | $9,849 | $6,857 | 94.8% |
| California State University-Channel Islands reports median earnings of $56,855 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $9,849. | |||||
| 32 | Colorado College · Colorado Springs, CO | $56,649 | $33,375 | $9,217 | 18.5% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Colorado Springs, Colorado College admits 18% of applicants and its Sociology graduates earn a median of $56,649 four years after completing. | |||||
| 33 | Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, CA | $56,581 | $12,885 | $8,310 | 93.4% |
| Sonoma State University ranks 199th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Sociology graduates four years after completing earn a median of $56,581. | |||||
| 34 | University of California-Irvine · Irvine, CA | $56,457 | $14,251 | $8,123 | 28.6% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $15,000 in federal loans at University of California-Irvine, where the Sociology program reports median earnings of $56,457 four years after completing. | |||||
| 35 | University of California-Riverside · Riverside, CA | $55,682 | $14,304 | $8,852 | 76.4% |
| University of California-Riverside reports an average net price of $8,852 for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $55,682 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 36 | University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CA | $55,534 | $12,470 | $7,525 | 26.7% |
| With a 27% admission rate, University of California-San Diego reports median earnings of $55,534 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing and ranks 36th on this list. | |||||
| 37 | University of California-Santa Cruz · Santa Cruz, CA | $55,338 | $17,890 | $8,717 | 65.8% |
| University of California-Santa Cruz reports median earnings of $55,338 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, with 223 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 38 | University of Arizona · Tucson, AZ | $55,300 | $16,674 | $13,353 | 86.1% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at University of Arizona left with a median of $19,620 in federal loans, and the school ranks 75th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 39 | University of Oregon · Eugene, OR | $55,204 | $22,182 | $15,909 | 88.3% |
| University of Oregon admits 88% of applicants and shows an average net price of $22,182. | |||||
| 40 | California State University-Dominguez Hills · Carson, CA | $55,100 | $8,615 | $7,303 | 93.3% |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills ranks 40th on this list, and its Sociology graduates four years after completing earn a median of $55,100. | |||||
| 41 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion · Tempe, AZ | $54,611 | $14,967 | $9,070 | 89.9% |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion posts an average net price of $9,070 for families earning under $30,000, alongside a 90% admission rate. | |||||
| 42 | California State University-Northridge · Northridge, CA | $54,500 | $7,021 | $4,905 | 93.5% |
| With 417 graduates in the earnings cohort, California State University-Northridge reports median earnings of $54,500 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 43 | University of San Diego · San Diego, CA | $54,338 | $30,365 | $15,586 | 52.4% |
| A private nonprofit university in San Diego, University of San Diego has a median federal debt of $22,940 across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 44 | Western Washington University · Bellingham, WA | $54,263 | $21,193 | $12,915 | 93.3% |
| Western Washington University ranks 533rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $21,193. | |||||
| 45 | California Baptist University · Riverside, CA | $54,060 | $26,285 | $22,298 | 84.9% |
| California Baptist University reports median earnings of $54,060 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, with an admission rate of 85%. | |||||
| 46 | Portland State University · Portland, OR | $53,753 | $9,552 | $7,655 | 90.9% |
| Portland State University shows an average net price of $7,655 for families earning under $30,000, and its Sociology graduates four years after completing earn a median of $53,753. | |||||
| 47 | University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI | $53,696 | $15,664 | $10,675 | 86.6% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at University of Hawaii at Manoa left with a median of $18,500 in federal loans, and the school admits 87% of applicants. | |||||
| 48 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $53,387 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 36.2% |
| San Diego State University ranks 48th on this list and reports 162 graduates in the earnings cohort for its Sociology program. | |||||
| 49 | California State University-San Marcos · San Marcos, CA | $53,287 | $10,229 | $6,230 | 95.1% |
| California State University-San Marcos reports median earnings of $53,287 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, alongside a school-wide median federal debt of $17,350. | |||||
| 50 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | $52,694 | $11,531 | $7,851 | 75.2% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona left with a median of $16,000 in federal loans, and the school's Sociology graduates earn a median of $52,694 four years after completing. | |||||
| 51 | California State University-Bakersfield · Bakersfield, CA | $52,618 | $5,652 | $3,536 | 93.9% |
| An average net price of $3,536 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median earnings of $52,618 for Sociology graduates of California State University-Bakersfield four years after completing. | |||||
| 52 | University of Nevada-Reno · Reno, NV | $52,564 | $15,927 | $12,674 | 73.7% |
| University of Nevada-Reno ranks 52nd on this list, with 48 graduates in the earnings cohort and an average net price of $15,927. | |||||
| 53 | Metropolitan State University of Denver · Denver, CO | $52,414 | $15,327 | $12,481 | 98.8% |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver admits 99% of applicants and ranks 193rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 54 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $52,323 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% |
| California State University-Chico posts a 93% admission rate and its Sociology graduates report median earnings of $52,323 four years after completing. | |||||
| 55 | University of New Mexico-Main Campus · Albuquerque, NM | $52,094 | $15,489 | $11,938 | 95.2% |
| University of New Mexico-Main Campus ranks 150th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Sociology graduates earn a median of $52,094 four years after completing. | |||||
| 56 | California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA | $51,982 | $10,440 | $7,183 | 46.3% |
| With an admission rate of 46%, California State University-Long Beach reports median earnings of $51,982 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 57 | University of Idaho · Moscow, ID | $51,873 | $14,831 | $11,270 | 75.5% |
| University of Idaho carries a school-wide median federal debt of $21,982 and an average net price of $11,270 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 58 | The University of Montana · Missoula, MT | $51,708 | $16,784 | $13,960 | 95.9% |
| The University of Montana ranks 58th on this list, and its Sociology graduates earn a median of $51,708 four years after completing. | |||||
| 59 | California State University-Fullerton · Fullerton, CA | $50,922 | $6,555 | $3,315 | 90.5% |
| California State University-Fullerton reports an average net price of $6,555 and median earnings of $50,922 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 60 | University of California-Merced · Merced, CA | $50,468 | $11,983 | $7,945 | 90.5% |
| University of California-Merced admits 91% of applicants, and its Sociology graduates report median earnings of $50,468 four years after completing. | |||||
| 61 | California State University-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $50,249 | $3,967 | $2,877 | 91.3% |
| California State University-Los Angeles reports median earnings of $50,249 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $3,967. | |||||
| 62 | University of Utah · Salt Lake City, UT | $50,087 | $16,200 | $13,123 | 86.0% |
| University of Utah admits 86% of applicants and its Sociology graduates earn a median of $50,087 four years after completing. | |||||
| 63 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus · Denver, CO | $49,619 | $11,900 | $6,743 | 74.7% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus left with a median of $20,500 in federal loans, while its Sociology completers earn $49,619 four years after completing. | |||||
| 64 | California State University-Fresno · Fresno, CA | $49,407 | $7,000 | $5,105 | 95.3% |
| California State University-Fresno ranks 26th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $49,407 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 65 | Colorado State University Pueblo · Pueblo, CO | $48,962 | $10,051 | $9,374 | 94.9% |
| An average net price of $9,374 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median earnings of $48,962 for Sociology graduates at Colorado State University Pueblo four years after completing. | |||||
| 66 | California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA | $48,954 | $4,564 | $2,681 | 93.7% |
| California State University-San Bernardino ranks 66th on this list and posts an average net price of $4,564. | |||||
| 67 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas · Las Vegas, NV | $48,528 | $10,359 | $8,526 | 96.2% |
| University of Nevada-Las Vegas reports median earnings of $48,528 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 96%. | |||||
| 68 | University of Wyoming · Laramie, WY | $48,508 | $13,599 | $7,977 | 96.9% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at University of Wyoming left with a median of $18,000 in federal loans, and the school admits 97% of applicants. | |||||
| 69 | New Mexico State University-Main Campus · Las Cruces, NM | $48,419 | $8,889 | $6,648 | 89.0% |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus reports median earnings of $48,419 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, with 30 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 70 | Montana State University · Bozeman, MT | $48,273 | $22,499 | $17,797 | 82.1% |
| Montana State University ranks 563rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $22,499. | |||||
| 71 | University of Northern Colorado · Greeley, CO | $48,154 | $17,760 | $12,695 | 85.9% |
| An average net price of $12,695 for families earning under $30,000 at University of Northern Colorado sits alongside median earnings of $48,154 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 72 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt · Arcata, CA | $48,143 | $13,171 | $8,483 | 98.2% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt admits 98% of applicants and its Sociology graduates earn a median of $48,143 four years after completing. | |||||
| 73 | Biola University · La Mirada, CA | $47,052 | $31,495 | $27,144 | 74.4% |
| Biola University, a private nonprofit university in La Mirada, reports median earnings of $47,052 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, with 23 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 74 | Seattle Pacific University · Seattle, WA | $46,974 | $24,488 | $20,735 | 83.4% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Seattle Pacific University left with a median of $24,000 in federal loans, while the school's Sociology completers earned a median of $46,974 four years after completing. | |||||
| 75 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs · Colorado Springs, CO | $46,444 | $15,788 | $12,065 | 97.4% |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs admits 97% of applicants and ranks 394th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 76 | California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, CA | $46,340 | $6,067 | $3,938 | 98.1% |
| With an average net price of $6,067, California State University-Stanislaus reports median earnings of $46,340 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 77 | Boise State University · Boise, ID | $44,676 | $21,610 | $18,165 | 87.2% |
| Boise State University ranks 77th on this list and carries an average net price of $18,165 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 78 | Northern Arizona University · Flagstaff, AZ | $44,082 | $14,158 | $9,709 | 89.6% |
| Northern Arizona University reports median earnings of $44,082 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, alongside a school-wide median federal debt of $19,000 for borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 79 | Fort Lewis College · Durango, CO | $43,544 | $17,296 | $18,622 | 77.3% |
| Fort Lewis College admits 77% of applicants and its Sociology graduates earned a median of $43,544 four years after completing. | |||||
| 80 | Santa Clara University · Santa Clara, CA | $41,565 | $50,062 | $22,985 | 48.0% |
| Santa Clara University ranks 321st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $50,062. | |||||
| 81 | University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI | $39,582 | $11,856 | $8,983 | 60.6% |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo reports median earnings of $39,582 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $8,983 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 82 | San Jose State University · San Jose, CA | $37,568 | $13,760 | $9,730 | 84.6% |
| San Jose State University ranks 23rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and its Sociology graduates earned a median of $37,568 four years after completing. | |||||
| 83 | University of Portland · Portland, OR | $36,134 | $28,210 | $20,070 | 89.2% |
| University of Portland admits 89% of applicants and reports median earnings of $36,134 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 84 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus · Portales, NM | $33,993 | $4,904 | $3,663 | 91.7% |
| With an average net price of $4,904, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus reports median earnings of $33,993 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 85 | Saint Mary's College of California · Moraga, CA | $33,993 | $30,378 | $19,462 | 86.5% |
| Saint Mary's College of California reports median earnings of $33,993 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 87%. | |||||
| 86 | Whitman College · Walla Walla, WA | $33,993 | $33,313 | $13,567 | 38.2% |
| Whitman College admits 38% of applicants and shows an average net price of $13,567 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 87 | Carroll College · Helena, MT | $33,281 | $23,960 | $17,072 | 70.9% |
| Carroll College ranks 87th on this list, with 5 graduates in the earnings cohort and an average net price of $23,960. | |||||
| 88 | Idaho State University · Pocatello, ID | $32,182 | $12,193 | $10,593 | Not reported |
| Idaho State University graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $20,039 in federal loans, and the school's Sociology completers earned a median of $32,182 four years after completing. | |||||
| 89 | University of Denver · Denver, CO | $29,685 | $36,131 | $20,097 | 77.8% |
| University of Denver sits at 812th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $29,685 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 90 | Azusa Pacific University · Azusa, CA | $29,141 | $22,212 | $15,781 | 88.4% |
| Azusa Pacific University posts an average net price of $15,781 for families earning under $30,000 and an admission rate of 88%. | |||||
| 91 | Whittier College · Whittier, CA | $28,309 | $25,757 | $21,718 | 80.8% |
| Whittier College ranks 91st on this list, with median earnings of $28,309 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 92 | Vanguard University of Southern California · Costa Mesa, CA | $26,353 | $21,241 | $17,225 | 62.4% |
| Vanguard University of Southern California admits 62% of applicants and reports an average net price of $21,241. | |||||
| 93 | Westminster University · Salt Lake City, UT | $26,353 | $27,094 | $22,972 | 66.6% |
| Westminster University shows median earnings of $26,353 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 67%. | |||||
| 94 | Linfield University · Mcminnville, OR | $25,194 | $26,536 | $20,059 | 85.2% |
| Linfield University ranks 546th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $20,059 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 95 | Willamette University · Salem, OR | $24,267 | $25,121 | $16,182 | 77.1% |
| Willamette University reports median earnings of $24,267 for its Sociology graduates four years after completing, with 15 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Sociology graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the West appear. The figure is the median for federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 14 of the 95 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The gap between University of California-Berkeley and University of Southern California is $808, with earnings ranging from $71,363 to $24,267 across the list.