Key takeaways
- Foremost, to choose the best college for a sociology degree in California, you should consider factors like campus location, alumni, and financial aid.
- As reported by BLS, California has the highest employment and the highest-paying jobs for sociology graduates.
- Surprisingly, the state is home to over 400 private and public schools, most of which are nationally and internationally reputable institutes.
- Entry-level jobs for sociology in California start at $65,976 per year on average.
- Firstly, California State University, Long Beach, is the best college for a Sociology degree in California. It offers the degree in a hybrid model, using both in-person and online teaching methods
- Secondly, California State University, Bakersfield, is the best public school for a Sociology degree. Bakersfield has the highest-paying jobs for Sociologists in California.
- Thirdly, California Polytechnic State University is the best public school with the highest acceptance rate. Most importantly, it has successful sociology alumni working in prestigious professions and industries.
- Fourthly, San Francisco State University has the lowest GPA requirement of just 3.0, with a pleasing acceptance rate of 91%. It provides an amazing campus life owing to its numerous sports teams and student organizations.
- Fifthly, San Diego State University has the highest GPA requirement of 3.9 and is the best place for high-performing high schoolers.
- Lastly, California State University, Fullerton has the highest minority enrollment, allowing you to enjoy a hands-on and diverse experience at the workplace.
California has been a tourist-luring state for a long time now. With its Golden Gate Bridge and fabulous beaches, the state is the epitome of beauty. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best states to reside in, with an amazing quality of life.
So, when it comes to education, California is once again in the lead. Certainly, the state is home to an exhaustive list of the best schools for sociology undergraduate programs. Therefore, from the 23 campuses in California State University to the best degree-granting private institutions, choosing the best college for an undergrad degree in sociology is easier than ever.
There are over 400 schools and colleges offering undergrad programs in California. Additionally, according to BLS, California has the highest number of jobs for Sociologists, and the highest paying as well.
According to Talent.com, sociology degree jobs in California pay an average of $65,976/year for entry-level jobs. Additionally, experienced sociology workers can make up to $137K in a year!
There are colleges around the nation that have the best sociology programs. You can explore several options for colleges in New York, or colleges in Idaho, and many more. However, California is home to the best prospects for a sociology degree.
While all these facts and figures point towards a bright and successful career for sociology graduates in California, let’s not underestimate the importance of choosing the best college that can enable professional growth for you.
So, here we are to help you find the best colleges for a sociology degree in California!
How to find the ideal college for a sociology degree in California?
However, before you dive into exploring the top colleges for a sociology degree in California, you must go through some necessary considerations. Therefore, ponder over the following questions and factors to find the best college:
- Firstly, see where the campus is situated, and whether there are basic amenities like public transport and grocery stores around the campus. Plus, if you are a California resident, you might want to get into a college that is near your home so you can cut down on travel costs.
- Secondly, don’t oversee the alumni profiles. Most of the good colleges and schools take pride when their alumni are doing well for themselves. It’s important that you explore what their alumni are up to after graduation, whether they managed to land prestigious jobs and career opportunities. More importantly, look at the most common career path taken by most of their alumni.
- Thirdly, explore if the college allows you to combine your sociology majors with any other subject or discipline like the ever-evolving degree in criminology. A flexibility to add or combine subjects will let you explore a variety of career paths.
- Finally, consider the cost of attendance. College expenses can take a toll and become difficult to manage. To help students out, all accredited colleges and schools offer financial aid programs. Make sure you have looked into the financial aid options to see if you can leverage that.
Explore colleges for sociology degrees in California
Moving on, let’s explore the most suitable colleges for a sociology degree in California. Find the list of highly accessible and esteemed colleges here!
California State University, Long Beach — best overall
Any school’s alumni reflect on the school’s credibility and quality of education. California State University, Long Beach has an impressive lot of alumni, most prominently the screenwriter for Pretty Woman, J.F. Lawton, and Steven Spielberg, a renowned filmmaker.
Furthermore, the college offers a comprehensive bachelor’s program for a sociology degree in California. Additionally, 70% of the program is conducted on campus and 30% online. The online sociology program flexibility is notable! The program includes 110+ courses with lots of majors and minors to choose from.
With a humble campus size, CSULB ensures a lively campus life by regularly hosting events for students and faculty to enjoy. However, CSULB might be a little more selective in its admission process compared to other public schools, as its acceptance rate is only 40% with an inclination towards a high school GPA of 3.8 or above.
| Location:
Long Beach, CA |
GPA requirement:
3.7 |
Acceptance rate:
40% |
Tuition fee:
$$6,904 for in-state and $17,200 for out-of-state students Prices excluding housing and other charges |
California State University, Bakersfield — best public school
The California State University, Bakersfield offers a BA in Sociology undergraduate program. The program is your gateway to some of the most comprehensive and detailed courses, including core courses for specific areas of interest like Criminology and Gender Studies.
Moreover, the program will teach you courses such as Critical Thinking and Contemporary Social Problems, Race and Ethnicity, Social Statistics, Research Methods, and Sex and Gender. These courses help you look deep into core social issues and analyze them with a thorough academic understanding.
Additionally, it is a public school founded in 1965, standing tall with its affordable degrees, diverse student body, and numerous sports teams. It has an acceptance rate of 85% and a GPA requirement of 3.5. Finally, it has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1 and a graduation rate of 22%.
| Location:
Bakersfield, CA |
GPA requirement:
3.5 |
Acceptance rate:
85% |
Tuition fee:
$7,000 for in-state and $17,204 for out-of-state students Prices excluding housing and other charges |
California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt — highest acceptance rate
The California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt, offers more than 50 undergraduate programs under its liberal arts and humanities college. It is known for its scenic campus location, brilliant undergraduate programs, and excellent research institute.
For a sociology degree in California, the Cal Poly Humboldt is the best place for any aspiring sociologist. The college offers hands-on real-life learning experiences within its bachelors programs. In addition, it has an impressive and dedicated sociology faculty that can uplift your academic career.
Most of the college’s sociology alumni have landed jobs and professions such as Criminologists, Social Workers, Employment Counselors, and Community Organizers.
Lastly, the college has an acceptance rate of 90%, with a GPA requirement of 3.5. This makes it the best for students looking to get into a college through a hassle-free process. It has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1 and 23% graduation rate.
| Location:
Arcata, CA |
GPA requirement:
3.5 |
Acceptance rate:
90% |
Tuition fee:
$7,864 for in-state and $19,744 for out-of-state students Prices excluding housing and other charges |
San Francisco State University — lowest GPA requirement
San Francisco State University, or SFSU, has one of the most happening and lively campus lives in the California State University system. Additionally, the college has more than 300 student organizations, along with sports teams, most of which participate in the NCAA Division II California Collegiate Athletic Association.
Moreover, it has easier admission criteria than most. It requires a high school GPA of just 3.0 and has a high acceptance rate of 90%. Additionally, its graduation rate is 49%, and has a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Furthermore, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from SFSU will push you into the humanities and complexities of the society we live in today. Most importantly, the program explores societies on theoretical fronts more than on a statistical front. To sum up, Classical Theories to Social Research Methodologies, the program offers all types of learning, topped with internship programs and seminars for your professional growth.
| Location:
San Francisco, CA |
GPA requirement:
3.0 or more |
Acceptance rate:
90% |
Tuition fee:
$7,950 for 7 units or greater. Price exclusive of housing and other charges |
San Diego State University — highest GPA requirement
Firstly, if you have managed to maintain a high GPA in high school, then you should consider pursuing your sociology degree at San Diego State University. Hence, most of its first-year admissions are students who have managed to hold a GPA of 3.9. In addition, it has an acceptance rate of 39%.
Moreover, the sociology department at SDSU offers many important courses within the sociology program. For example, some courses that you will enjoy studying include basic sociology Statistics, Research Methods, sociology and Intersectionality, and Social Psychology: Mind, Self, and Society.
Besides, the sociology department at SDSU was first established in 1940 and has since been maintained by top-notch faculty members. To add, the SDSU sociology department has a mix of visiting and full-time faculty members. Most importantly, they come from diverse academic, professional, and ethnic backgrounds.
| Location:
San Diego, CA |
GPA requirement:
3.9 |
Acceptance rate:
39% |
Tuition fee:
$ for in-state and $ for out-of-state students Prices excluding housing and other charges |
California State University, Fullerton — highest minority enrollment
Finally, on our list is California State University. Thanks to its 80% ethnic minority student enrollment, the diverse student body allows California State University, Fullerton, to offer its students a greater learning experience. Additionally, the sociology program focuses on learning from real-life interactions with local and international communities.
Therefore, by interacting with such a diverse student body and faculty, CSU ensures that the students develop deep societal understanding, while the course work develops analytical skills, critical thinking, research capabilities and so much more.
Certainly, CSUF prepares you for a bright career in the future. It does this by hosting frequent career fairs. Moreover, it offers career drives where students can have a session with a career coach either virtually or in person.
Lastly, college has a GPA requirement of 3.7, and an acceptance rate of 67%. Its graduation rate is 33%.
| Location:
Fullerton, CA |
GPA requirement:
3.7 |
Acceptance rate:
67% |
Tuition fee:
$7,074 for in-state and $18,954 for out-of-state students Prices excluding housing and other charges |
Discover the ideal colleges for a sociology degree in California
To conclude, it looks like California has an amazing range of colleges for sociology degree in California. The options are many, which can make the decision-making process overwhelming. However, our above-curated list of top colleges for sociology degrees in California can help you find the right school for your sociology career.
Furthermore, factors like financial aid and college campus location matter a lot. You should also aim for colleges that have achievable GPA requirements and a high acceptance rate. Additionally, financial aid is a great way to ensure that your 4-year degree goes on smoothly and that you manage to graduate without major bumps.
Before you select any college of sociology program, make sure that you have found the answers to some of the most important questions about sociology.
Finally, once you graduate from a good college with a sociology degree in California, you will find many sociology jobs in the state! Good luck!