Why Earn a Master’s in Sociology?
Students who feel drawn to sociology as a field are often people who hope to solve social problems facing society such as poverty, the need for tolerance of diversity, and global upheaval. Sociology programs that are top-ranked help grad students who are used to working as sociologists or in human services to utilize sociological theories combined with sociological analysis and sociology research methods in order to create long-term solutions to these issues. That is why the very best Master's in Sociology degree programs tend to stress research methods and methodology in their offered courses, as well as the use of data and statistical analysis in order to solve real world social problems using relevant experience gained during each graduate student's career. Whether they take their courses as full-time or part-time students, on-campus or online, the more background and hands-on application of critical analysis, general analytical skills, and research methods that a student can demonstrate once they complete their graduate training in a sociology program, the better they will fare in the job market and the more easily they will reach their career goals after they leave school. Luckily, these degrees are available through online offerings because schools understand that professionals need to have the ability to take their courses when they have time, and online learning is the best way to do that. Even programs that require some in-person courses offer much of the degrees through online, asynchronous classes.
It is interesting to note that many of the top-ranked, traditional sociology degree programs in the country that are on-campus, such as those at U.C. Berkeley, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and Stanford University do not offer a master's program to students as an end goal. Their programs accept admissions from students who will complete their master's sociology program on the way to completion of their doctoral degree. As explained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), other non-traditional sociology graduate programs are applied or professional programs that allow candidates to move into their career path straight from their master's; these are the most commonly found online.
Top 10 Best Online Masters in Sociology Programs
New Mexico State University
Score: 79.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,147
- Out-of-State:$25,271
- Net Price: $10,407
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 14,268
- Undergrad Students: 11,591
- Graduate Students: 2,677
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Arizona State University
Score: 78.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State:$32,193
- Net Price: $14,808
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 80,065
- Undergrad Students: 65,492
- Graduate Students: 14,573
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Score: 75.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,026
- Out-of-State:$22,626
- Net Price: $13,025
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 11,306
- Undergrad Students: 7,383
- Graduate Students: 3,923
- Grads Salary: $91,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
American Public University System
Score: 74.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,400
- Out-of-State:$8,400
- Net Price: $11,172
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 48,668
- Undergrad Students: 39,206
- Graduate Students: 9,462
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Fayetteville State University
Score: 74.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,969
- Out-of-State:$7,969
- Net Price: $6,355
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 6,787
- Undergrad Students: 5,748
- Graduate Students: 1,039
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Score: 73.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,832
- Out-of-State:$21,864
- Net Price: $16,834
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 21,639
- Undergrad Students: 13,032
- Graduate Students: 8,607
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Louisiana State University
Score: 73.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,954
- Out-of-State:$28,631
- Net Price: $21,296
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 37,348
- Undergrad Students: 30,952
- Graduate Students: 6,396
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Morehead State University
Score: 72.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,838
- Out-of-State:$14,706
- Net Price: $10,991
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 8,807
- Undergrad Students: 8,215
- Graduate Students: 592
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
South Dakota State University
Score: 71.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,299
- Out-of-State:$12,809
- Net Price: $18,160
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 11,327
- Undergrad Students: 9,917
- Graduate Students: 1,410
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Texas Woman's University
Score: 71.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,648
- Out-of-State:$18,720
- Net Price: $11,682
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 15,958
- Undergrad Students: 10,153
- Graduate Students: 5,805
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
