Online Master’s in Sociology programs have gained traction over the years as an interdisciplinary degree that serves many professional fields. The following are the top ranked online sociology programs from accredited institutions across the nation. They have been ranked according to a matrix of return of investment, faculty to student ratio, and graduation rates. Programs with a higher return on the investment of returning to school rank higher, as do programs with greater opportunities for mentoring, internships and research.
1. Arizona State University
For anyone that desires to gain more knowledge and understanding how social relationships and interaction impact families, groups and individuals then earning a Masters in Sociology Arizona State University is the path for you. This online degree will take students through sociology theory, research methods, marriage and family relationships, social statistics, and more. Students will also complete a capstone project that helps build their resume prior to graduation and give them hands-on experience and skills within the context of their degree. Graduates pursue careers in a variety of professions including child protective services, government agencies, crisis intervention, and more.
At A Glance
- Location: Tempe, Arizona
- Tuition: $9,982 Per Year
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 20 to 1
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Time to Completion: 1.5 to 2 Years
- Graduation Rate: 67%
2. Texas A&M University
The Master of Science in Sociology program at Texas A&M University provides students with a solid core of knowledge and skills that allow them to transfer their knowledge to a variety of career fields or doctoral studies. Students will learn both quantitative and qualitative research methods and analytics as they learn how social interactions impact individuals and society as a whole. Students that have interests in race, gender, politics, social class, education, migration, crime, law, and punishment will find courses that they can take to expand their knowledge and experience to meet their career goals.
At A Glance
- Location: College Station, Texas
- Tuition: $5,447 (Resident) $11,801 (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 19 to 1
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Time to Completion: 2 Years
- Graduation Rate: 80%
3. Texas Woman’s University
At Texas Woman’s University the study of sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the consequences of social human interactions. In this program students learn how to study individuals in the context of groups, families, communities and society. Through this program students will learn how to research the impact of the social environment on individuals and beyond. Students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to advance their careers and drive change for justice across the globe. Expert faculty prepare students for professional success and to advance their education to the doctoral level should they choose to.
At A Glance
- Location: Denton, Texas
- Tuition: $280 Per Credit Hour (Resident) $689 Per Credit Hour (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 17 to 1
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Time to Completion: 2 Years
- Graduation Rate: 64%
4. Morehead State University
At Morehead State University students that pursue a Master of Arts in Sociology will earn an advanced degree that opens many career advancement opportunities. This particular degree offers three areas of concentration students can choose from to better meet their career goals. These areas of concentration include General Sociology, Criminology, and Chemical Dependency. Courses in each concentration include theory, research methods and analysis. Students will take courses specific to their concentration and participate in projects that help them better understand and gain the required skills for the concentration they choose.
At A Glance
- Location: Morehead, Kentucky
- Tuition: $570 Per Credit Hour
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 16 to 1
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Time to Completion: 2 Years
- Graduation Rate: 86%
5. University of Alabama at Birmingham
Earning a Masters in Applied Sociology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is more than just earning an advanced degree; it is a transformative experience that will change the way you view the world around you and your place in it. This innovative and engaging online degree program removes barriers that prevent many students from pursuing an advanced degree. There is no out-of-state tuition and courses are flexibly offered online with supportive faculty. This is a non-thesis program, and students participate in research, learn theory, and engage in discussions with other professionals in the program.
At A Glance
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
- Tuition: $534 Per Semester Hour
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 19 to 1
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Time to Completion: 18 months
- Graduation Rate: 55%
6. Sam Houston State University
The Master of Arts in Sociology degree at Sam Houston State University is designed to provide students greater knowledge and opportunities to learn advanced methodological techniques as they make sociological inquiries. Students will be instructed on theoretical perspectives, and learn how to interpret empirical evidence. This program prepares students to be confident in areas of grant writing, evaluating programs, impact assessment, social justice reform, and research involving communities. The program is entirely online and awards the same master degree as students attending on campus.
At A Glance
- Location: Huntsville, Texas
- Tuition:$6,156 Per 12 Credit Hours
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 23 to 1
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Time to Completion: 2 Years
- Graduation Rate: 67%
7. New Mexico State University
At New Mexico State University the Master of Arts in Sociology provides students with advanced knowledge and experience in the field of sociology, preparing them for professions beyond academia. Students will participate in relevant research and statistics as they are trained in both qualitative and quantitative research methods and interpretation. They will make insights to better understand individuals, groups, and communities as they further their studies of this. Students will get to choose electives that fit their career goals such as social inequality, education, migration, social movements, digital media, political sociology, environmental sociology, and social psychology.
At A Glance
- Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Tuition:$411.50 Per Credit Hour
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 16 to 1
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Time to Completion: 2 to 2.5 Years
- Graduation Rate: 44%
8. Virginia Commonwealth University
At Virginia Commonwealth University students of the online Master’s in Sociology program will have a unique learning opportunity as they explore digital sociology focusing on social justice. This program is led by expert faculty that desire to instruct students to develop innovative ways of doing sociology within the context of our digital world. Students work within the framework of theory, research methods, data analysis, creating visual data, exploring digital sociology, digital social problems, political sociology, public sociology, and more. Students participate in and create personal projects upon enrolling in the program up until they complete the degree.
At A Glance
- Location: Richmond, Virginia
- Tuition: Calculate Cost from their Website
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 17 to 1
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Time to Completion: 1.5 to 2 Years
- Graduation Rate: 61%
9. Auburn University at Montgomery
Auburn University at Montgomery recognizes that a Master’s degree in Sociology can benefit multiple arrays of professions, as human interaction and diversity are among every profession. As students learn to effectively and sensitively communicate and seek for the greater good for individuals and communities, a masters in sociology provides a strong support in any profession. As students study social life, social change, diverse communities and interaction between and within, they place themselves at a key crossroads for businesses, non-profits, and more. Graduates have entered careers in business, teaching, law, health services, public services, and more.
At A Glance
- Location: Montgomery, Alabama
- Tuition: $421 Per Credit Hour (Resident) $463 Per Credit Hour (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 16 to 1
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Time to Completion: 2 Years
- Graduation Rate: 21%
10. Eastern Michigan University
If earning an advanced degree in Sociology that provides advanced knowledge in theory, statistics, research methods, and data analytics is what you are interested in, then a Master of Arts in Sociology from Eastern Michigan University is a program worth looking into. Students that are already in a profession that utilizes sociology or that are seeking to transfer careers will benefit greatly from this degree program. Graduates are prepared with the knowledge and skills to take their career a few different directions. They can continue their profession in related fields, they can teach at postsecondary institutions, or they can enter doctoral level studies and continue their education.
At A Glance
- Location: Ypsilanti, Michigan
- Tuition: $10,260
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 14 to 1
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation, GPA of 3.0
- Time to Completion: 2 Years
- Graduation Rate: 54%
11. University of Nebraska Omaha
An advanced degree in sociology provides professionals with a unique set of skills and understanding that are in high demand across professions. At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, students of the online Master’s in Sociology program will learn methodological skills and analysis in social contexts. These skills help students that have goals for professions in teaching, government, advocacy groups, human resources, businesses, and more. Faculty have specializations in numerous areas including medical sociology, sociology of families, and global sociology. The program is not fully online, as they have some required seminars that are only taught in person for now.
At A Glance
- Location: Omaha, Nebraska
- Tuition: $375 Per Credit Hour (Resident) $617 Per Credit Hour (Non-Resident)
- Faculty to Student Ratio: 17 to 1
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Time to Completion: 2 Years
- Graduation Rate: 44%
12. Saybrook University
Saybrook University offers a very specific Master’s degree program that is aimed at social change, the Master’s in Transformative Social Change. This program seeks to educate and inspire students to deeply understand their connection and relationship with the rest of the world and inspire change across the globe. Faculty take a global multidisciplinary approach as they help students address world conflicts. Saybrook seeks to not only graduate scholars but activists for change. Areas that students will study include human rights, social justice and inequality, climate change, violence, and more. As students learn to think deeply and critically as they view areas in need of change they will reflect on values and goals and how to inspire change.
At A Glance
- Location: Pasadena, California
- Tuition: $27,489
- Faculty to Student Ratio: Not Reported
- Admissions Requirements: Application, Transcripts, 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Time to Completion: 2 Years
- Graduation Rate: Not Reported
