The top online bachelor’s degrees in Sociology offer a flexible path for students to earn an undergraduate degree and start a career. A Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology Degree is an academic degree in the social sciences that analyzes human interactions among individuals, groups, organizations, communities, and also cultures.
It explores human society, social forces, and also social interaction. Students enrolled in sociology baccalaureate degree programs are trained to conduct socially relevant and topical research and collect data for further analysis. There are many jobs you can get with a degree in Sociology.
Students who choose to pursue a degree in Sociology will also learn to analyze social problems and improve fundamental social processes. These social issues may include healthcare inequities, family conflicts, or also discrimination based on many factors. Here is our list of the Top 10 Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Sociology.
How We Ranked The Best Online Bachelor’s in Sociology Degrees
The editors at Online Schools Guide (OSG) found accredited Bachelors in Sociology programs offering online or hybrid degrees. Then the schools are ranked by tuition cost, reputation, and salary after graduation.
| Online School | Degree |
|---|---|
| 1. University of Florida | BA in Sociology |
| 2. Arizona State University | BS in Sociology |
| 3. Oregon State University | BA or B.S. in Sociology |
| 4. CUNY School of Professional Studies | BA in Sociology |
| 5. University of Texas – Permian Basin | BA in Sociology |
| 6. University of Nebraska | BS in Sociology |
| 7. Tennessee State University | BA in Sociology |
| 8. University of Central Florida | BS or BA in Sociology |
| 9. Central Methodist University | BA in Sociology |
| 10. Fayetteville State University | BA in Sociology |
1. University of Florida Online
The University of Florida’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology online degree is offered through the school’s Liberal Arts & Sciences College. Furthermore, it is among the best online Sociology degree programs in Florida and the country.
This online Sociology degree from the University of Florida prepares students for rewarding careers as policy analysts, consumer researchers, public health supervisors, and also human resource representatives. The UF baccalaureate degree in sociology requires students to complete a minimum of 120-semester credits. The tuition is some of the most affordable in the country. With an excellent reputation and affordable tuition, this online degree is one of the best available!
The University of Florida was established in the mid-1850s as a land grant school that is also a space and sea-grant school. As a senior member of the state’s university system, the University of Florida serves more than 56,000 students with a $6 billion budget. UF boasts sixteen colleges and schools, plus over 100 research and academics.
Accreditation: SACSCOC
2. Arizona State University
| Degree: Online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology |
The Arizona State University Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology degree requires students to complete 120 semester hours, of which 45 hours must be from the upper-level curriculum. Arizona State University’s online Sociology Degree program includes classes in the history of social thought, cultural diversity in the United States, research methods, gender & society, social statistics, and also literacy and critical inquiry. Furthermore, this degree at ASU focuses on research methods and is well known for its history of researching social and racial issues in communities.
Arizona State University (ASU) was established in the mid-1880s, prior to Arizona reaching statehood. In addition, ASU is a space-grant school that is recognized to be among the largest in the nation. More than 200 faculty members at Arizona State University have received highly prestigious recognition from the National Academies. With more than 145,000 students studying on-campus and online, the school is a powerhouse of higher education.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
3. Oregon State University
| Degree: Online BS or Bachelors in Arts (BA) in Sociology |
Oregon State University, through the OSU Ecampus, offers an undergraduate degree in Sociology that students can complete entirely online. The Oregon State University Bachelors in Arts or Science in Sociology online degree program requires degree candidates to complete at least 180 quarter credits. This program has four terms per year, so students have the choice of four start dates each year. Classes for this degree include rural sociology, sociological theory, population trends, crime & justice, and also environmental sociology.
Oregon State University was founded as a land-grant institution of higher education that serves more than 31,000 students. In addition, OSU is a sea, space, and sun-grant school. Only a few schools in the nation have these multiple designations. Oregon State University was founded in 1856 and its main campus is in Corvallis. The OSU Ecampus offers over ninety programs entirely online.
Accreditation: NWCCU
4. CUNY School of Professional Studies (SPS)
| Degree: Online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology |
The City University of New York’s (CUNY) School of Professional Studies (SPS) offers an online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology degree that is one of the best in the nation. The CUNY SPS online Sociology degree provides both quality and affordability.
Online students all pay the same affordable rate, regardless of residency status. Degree candidates enrolled in CUNY’s online sociology program graduate and enter the workforce or continue to graduate school. Human resources, education, justice studies, and research are some of the fields where graduates find employment.
SPS was the first of the twenty-five colleges in the City University of New York to offer a fully available online program and is the university’s leader in online learning. More than 4,000 students attend classes provided by CUNY SPS. In addition, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees or one of many certificates or professional non-degree programs entirely online. While most CUNY SPS offerings are online, students can also attend programs at the school’s campus in Manhattan.
Accreditation: MSCHE
5. University of Texas Permian Basin
| Degree: Online Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in Sociology |
The University of Texas Permian Basin Online Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in Sociology requires enrolled students to complete 120 undergraduate semester credits.
UT’s online bachelor’s in sociology degree program prepares degree candidates for rewarding careers as guidance counselors, management consultants, or also social workers. Coursework for this online degree includes an introduction to sociology, sociological theory, social research methods, and also a senior research seminar.
The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) is a public higher learning institution that was founded in 1973. The university’s urban campus covers more than 600 acres and serves more than 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The University of Texas Permian Basin’s campus is home to a Stonehenge replica.
Accreditation: SACSCOC
6. University of Nebraska – Online
| Degree: Online Bachelor of Science in Sociology |
The University of Nebraska Bachelor of Science in Sociology online degree is ranked among the best online bachelor in sociology degree programs in Nebraska.
Coursework for the online degree in sociology includes social inequality, social psychology, statistics for social sciences, sociological inequity, anthropology, and also global cultures and diversity. Students must finish at least 120 semester credits to meet the baccalaureate degree program’s requirements.
The University of Nebraska (UNL) opened in the late 1860s as a land-grant school under the Morrill Land Act. Additionally, the University of Nebraska is the flagship campus of the state’s university system. More than 25,000 students attend classes online and on-campus in Lincoln. Furthermore, the University of Nebraska in Lincoln maintains two campuses for its eight colleges and schools.
Accreditation: HLC
7. Tennessee State University
| Degree: Online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology |
The Tennessee State University online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology degree is among Nashville’s best programs. This online degree in sociology from Tennessee State University requires students to complete at least 120 undergraduate semester units. Coursework for this BS in sociology degree includes an introduction to sociology, classical sociological theory, criminology, sociology of child development, and also an introduction to social research.
Tennessee State University started in 1912 and is also a member of the Thurgood Marshall Fund. The University is both a land-grant and an HBCU school with a student enrollment that exceeds 8,000 students. Tennessee State offers more than 60 academic degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The TSU campus covers more than 475 acres, with the most acreage of any school campus in Nashville.
Accreditation: SACSCOC
8. University of Central Florida
| Degree: Online BA or BS in Sociology |
The University of Central Florida through Central Florida Online offers two of Florida’s best online bachelor’s in Sociology degree programs. UCF has both a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology degree.
Each of these online degrees in sociology programs requires the completion of 120 undergraduate semester hours. Students graduate from the University of Central Florida’s bachelor’s degrees in sociology to find rewarding work as public administrators, educators, behavioral analysts, or mental health care providers.
The University of Central Florida (U of CF) was founded in 1963 and has a student enrollment among the largest in the state with nearly 72,000 students. UCF began as a technical school as it was designed to supply personnel to the nearby space coast. Additionally, the University of Central Florida maintains a number of campuses and regional centers to serve a large portion of central Florida.
Accreditation: SACS COC
9. Central Methodist University
CMU Digital U, Central Methodist University’s Graduate & Extended Studies College, offers two of Missouri’s best online bachelor’s in sociology degree programs. The CMU Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and the CMU Bachelor of Science in Sociology are both fully online. Both of the online Sociology Degrees from Central Methodist University require degree candidates to complete a minimum of 120 undergraduate credit units. Classes for CMU’s undergraduate degree in sociology include social theory, world cultures, social deviance, and research design & data analysis.
Central Methodist University was founded in the mid-1850s as Central College. This private school is affiliated with the Methodist Church. With its campus and online platform, the school serves more than 5,000 students. Additionally, Central Methodist University’s campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since the early 1980s.
Accreditation: HLC
10. Fayetteville State University (FSU)
| Degree: Online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology |
The Fayetteville State University Bachelor of Arts in Sociology is offered through the school’s Humanities and Social Sciences College. The FSU Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Studies online program is considered one of North Carolina’s best online Sociology degree programs.
The flexible online format was originally designed to meet the needs of the military population in the area. However, many students outside the military have completed the FSU online program because of its convenience. In addition, the tuition is some of the most affordable you can find and the curriculum is the same as the on-campus Sociology degree program.
Fayetteville State University was founded in 1867 and is recognized to be a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) school. Also known as Fayetteville State, the school is a member school of North Carolina’s university system (UNC-FSU) and the Thurgood Marshall Fund. The university’s Fayetteville campus is home to more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, Fayetteville State University holds the distinction of being the second oldest school in North Carolina that is state-supported.
Accreditation: SACS COC
What is Sociology Degree Curriculum at the Bachelor’s Level?
Sociology coursework typically includes learning basic analysis principles and social theories. In addition, students take courses on how to conduct social research. They learn how to develop observation methods and create questionnaires and surveys properly.
When sociology students have built a solid foundation regarding research and analytics methods, they learn to apply these methodologies and resources to studies on specific slices or the entire population.
What Career Path Can You Have With an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology?
The American Sociological Association (ASA) notes that an undergraduate degree in sociology is an excellent springboard to many different careers across diverse sectors. In fact, the skills that are learned in an on-campus or online bachelor’s degree in sociology can be applied to many career paths.
Whether studying for an on-campus or an online bachelor’s degree in sociology, students with this major will find this degree prepares them for an array of sociology-related jobs or graduate sociology degree programs. For those students enrolled in an online bachelor’s degree, many choose to pursue a master’s degree in business, law, education, or social work.
Sociology Careers and Jobs
Sociology majors who wish to enter the workforce often pursue a career in the area of social services, which may include:
- Communications Specialist
- Consumer Relations Specialist
- Correctional or Probation Officer
- Educator
- Family Planning Worker
- Human Resource Representative
- Market Research Analyst
- Paralegal
- Public Health Supervisor
- Policy Analyst
- Public Relations Professional
- A Counselor or Substance Abuse Educator
- Survey Researcher
What Places Can You Work?
Some Sociology degree holders choose to apply their skills in human behavior in the areas of business, so they work in a human resources capacity.
Working in the business or management realm, sociologists have the skills to support employee & labor relations, facilitate hiring and training processes, and implement relevant quality assurance guidelines. Still, other graduates choose to pursue a career in sociological research.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Handbook, the median annual wage for sociologists in May 2020 was $86,110.
How to Know if Sociology is the Right Academic Major?
Sociology majors should have a fundamental and inherent interest in society and also human behavior. Because students enrolled in sociology programs study human actions, perspectives, values, and beliefs, they have a greater understanding of how society works and can be improved. As such, sociology degree candidates with a natural curiosity about people and society are likely to be a great fit.
Sociology majors are often critical thinkers who wish to understand better and analyze human behavior against society’s backdrop. In addition, students with a serious interest in social justice will find a sociology academic degree also a smart option.
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