Best colleges for Sociology in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, University of California-Berkeley leads: its Sociology graduates earn a median $71,363 four years after finishing, against the field's $52,657 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley | $71,363 | +$18,706 |
| 2 | University of Southern California | $70,555 | +$17,898 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $69,883 | +$17,226 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Sociology?
By graduate earnings, University of California-Berkeley — its Sociology bachelor's graduates earn a median $71,363 four years out, the highest of the 3 California programs in the federal file.
What do Sociology graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $69,883 to $71,363. The field's national median is $52,657.
Is a Sociology degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Sociology graduates earn $4,297/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.