10 Best Sociology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California

1Stanford University

For over 150 years, Stanford University has been a strong foundation for social change and cultural creativity.

This private school is ranked number 3 by U.S. News and World Report among national colleges, and with just under 8,000 students attending each year, this exclusive campus will host the best of the best.

You could be one of the courageous and knowledgeable students who roam the 8,000 acre campus each day, learning and doing to make the world a better place.

With a student to professor ratio of 5 to 1, you’ll get to know your teachers intimately and work together to solve problems both in class and in the real world.

There are sixty seven majors to choose from at Stanford University, with Sociology being one of the top contenders.

It will take four years of your time to complete a Bachelors degree here, which is perfect for those who want to get out into the workforce quickly.

The Sociology Bachelors degree will teach students how to understand and address problems in society as well as interpersonal issues.

Classes are taught by industry professionals, and some of the courses that you will need to take in order to graduate include:

• Global Human Rights and Local Practices
• The Urban Underclass
• The Immigrant Experience in Everyday Life
• Social Networks

Finishing all 120 credit hours of courses and independent study at Stanford University will provide you with all the skills needed to obtain a lifelong career in Sociology.

Once you have graduated, expect many doors to open for you especially in roles like:

• Community Health Worker
• School Counselor
• Digital Analyst
• Motivational Speaker

Enrollment

The admissions tab on the website is the first place you will want to go if you are ready to enroll at Stanford University.

You can also visit the campus virtually while you are on the website, or you could book a tour in person to see if the school meets your needs.

It will cost $90 to apply to Stanford University, which is a non-refundable fee.

Along with your application, please submit the following information:

• ACT or SAT scores
• Counselor letter of recommendation
• Transcripts from high school or previous education if transferring
• Two teacher recommendation letters
• Midyear transcript

The Stanford University admission process is extensive, and the school looks at the whole person when considering enrollment.

You’ll want to make sure you include any extracurriculars you have done, as well as proof of academic excellence and intellectual vitality.

Completing your application means that you are one step closer to beginning enrollment and orientation.

It should take about two weeks to four weeks to hear back about the status of your application.

Fees

No matter where you are from in the world, you will pay $41,154 per year to attend Stanford University.

A Bachelors degree here will be a four year commitment, meaning after graduation you will pay $164,616.

Housing and meal plans are separate and can be discussed with an academic advisor as the rates change frequently.

There are financial aid and scholarship opportunities available for all students.

Contact Information

• Address: 450 Jane Stanford Way Stanford, CA 94305
• Phone: 650-723-2300
• Website: www.stanford.edu

---

2University of California-Los Angeles

The University of California in Los Angeles is in the top 20 national schools according to U.S. News and World Report.

If you want a great public school to satisfy all your college needs, this is the perfect place to go.

Not only will you obtain fantastic views and be miles away from the ocean, the education here is top-notch and the faculty is always willing to help.

You’ll find that the University of California in Los Angeles is the number one school in the country, and for good reason.

There are 137 different degrees to choose from here, but those who want to learn more about society and how people work will enjoy the Sociology Bachelors degree.

As a four year degree, you will be introduced to general education classes and then start to take on more Sociology and Psychology based courses that will include:

• Statistical Methods for Social Sciences
• Institutions and Social Processes
• Power and Inequality
• Development of Sociological Theory

Professors who are knowledgable in the field as well as caring classmates will help you throughout your time here.

Plus, you’ll get the chance to take part in research and development in sociological areas throughout campus.

Once you complete a degree from the University of California in Los Angeles, you will be ready to procure a career in Sociology like:

• Human Services Worker
• Rehabilitation Counselor
• Peace Corps
• Program Specialist

Enrollment

Head over to the website for the University of California in Los Angeles to begin the application process.

If you are enrolling in college for the first time or even if you are a transfer student, you will need to provide some important information.

Along with your personal information, some paperwork that you will also need to cover includes:

• High school diploma
• ACT or SAT scores
• Answers to personal insight questions given by the school
• Transcripts from high school

Transfer students will need to provide:

• Transcripts from high school and previous universities
• Proof of at least 12 credit hours completed
• GPA of 3.2 or higher

Those who are international learners or from out of state are also welcome to apply to UCLA.

Fees

If you are from California and plan to study full time at UCLA, you will pay about $38,648 per year for school.

Non-residents can expect to pay anywhere from $63,604 to $72,592 depending on their situation.

Since Bachelors degrees take four years to finish, students can expect to pay between $124,120 to $290,368 upon graduation.

Contact Information

• Address: 405 Hilgard Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90095
• Phone: 310-825-4321
• Website: www.ucla.edu

---

3University of California-Irvine

Another top 50 California based school is the University of California in Irvine.

This public school is quite large wit just under 30,000 students attending each year.

With 87 Bachelors degrees offered here, you’ll definitely find something that piques your interest.

The University of California in Irvine is also considered one of the most diverse schools in the nation.

These accolades should make you excited to begin your college journey in Irvine.

Along with 86 other undergraduate majors offered here, the Sociology Bachelors degree is a popular choice.

Within this program, students will study patterns of human behavior and how they pertain to society as a whole.

Along with like-minded peers, you will take part in conversation and discourse in classes that include:

• Globalization
• Social Problems
• Probabilities and Statistics
• Self-Identity and Society

Completing all of the required courses should take about four years, and at the end of which you will have opportunities for independent study as well as research.

Now that you have graduated, it is time to find the career of your dreams, expect many doors in Sociology to open for you, like:

• Employment Specialist
• Actuary
• Criminologist
• School Administrator

Enrollment

Head to the University of California in Irvine website to fill out the simple and easy application.

There are deadlines throughout the year, so make sure you don’t miss them to get the utmost out of your admissions.

It is required to submit a fee of $70, which is non-refundable.

In order to apply, you’ll need to submit the following information:

• High school and previous education transcripts
• ACT or SAT test scores
• Annual income proof
• Social security number
• Citizenship status

It should take about four weeks to hear back from this school, but you can always check your status on the school’s website.

An academic advisor will contact you via email if you have been accepted to the school.

Fees

Residents of California who do not plan to live on campus will pay $30,946 per year which includes books, travel, and other fees.

Since it takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree here, the total tuition cost is $123,784 upon graduation.

If you are from California and plan to live on campus, the yearly tuition is $40,202.

This comes out to a total of $160,808 after four years of education.

Those who do not live in California will pay $72,776 per year.

A non-resident will end up paying about $291,104 after graduating from this university.

Financial aid, scholarships, and grants are available for qualified students here.

Contact Information

• Address: 401 East Peltason Dr. Suite 3200 Irvine, CA 92617
• Phone: 949-824-5011
• Website: www.uci.edu

---

4Pitzer College

Claremont, California hosts the small private school by the name of Pitzer College.

Since its founding in 1963, Pitzer College has been home to a diverse group of students who have led the way in science and innovation.

With a small town atmosphere, you can get out of the hustle and bustle of the big city and enjoy gorgeous mountain landscapes.

Not only will you be in fresh air and take classes seaside, but Pitzer College has sixty majors to choose from when it comes to earning your Bachelors degree.

For those who like to learn more about society and the world around them, as well as human behavior, the Sociology Bachelors degree may be right up their alley.

With classes based in evidence and psychology, students will learn multifaceted ways to incorporate diversity and equality in their every day lives.

Some of the classes that are required in order to graduate with a Sociology degree at Pitzer College include:

• Classical Sociological Theory
• Contemporary Social Theory
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Wokeness in African American Social Theory

This degree will take about four years to finish and once you have completed all of your courses, you will be ready to take on the world in any sociology career you so choose.

Before you graduate, it is required to complete a capstone project which will showcase all that you have learned throughout your college experience.

Then, it is time to walk across that stage and earn your Bachelors degree, which you can use to procure any of these careers:

• School Counselor
• Environmental Specialist
• Foreign Affairs Officer
• Urban Planner

Enrollment

Academic advisors suggest that prospective students take a campus tour before committing to Pitzer College.

You’ll be able to apply to this school right on the website and will need to submit a $70 non-refundable application fee to do so.

This is a fairly simple application to finish but you will need to submit the following information as well:

• Teacher recommendation
• Official transcripts
• Mid-year report
• Interview

It shouldn’t take too long to hear back from the school about your acceptance status, typically about a week or two.

Then, you can sign up for orientation and begin looking into classes.

Fees

Those who live on campus here will pay $80,432 per year to attend.

Consider a Bachelors degree is four years, that means you will end up paying. $321,692 after graduating.

If you do not want to live on campus, you will pay $68,750 annually.

Four years of education will provide you with tuition costs of $275,000.

All books and other expenses are included in these prices.

Contact Information

• Address: 1050 North Mills Ave. Claremont, CA 91711
• Phone: 909-621-8000
• Website: www.pitzer.edu

---

5University of California-Berkeley

The University of California in Berkeley is the number one public school in the entire world, where over 35,000 students attend yearly.

If you want to be one of the brightest minds in the country, head to this school to make your dreams come true.

There are over 300 degrees offered at the University of California in Berkeley, as well as over 475 organizations that are run by students.

This means that you will always find something of interest and fascinating things to do on campus and around town.

Expect to find the Sociology Bachelors degree if you are looking for information on society and how humans work.

This degree will bring you closer to many careers in the public sector, which is a great option for those who want to help others.

It will take four years to complete a Bachelors degree here, and along with general education classes, students in the Sociology program will take on courses like:

• Introduction to Sociology
• Sociological Reading and Comprehension
• Evaluation of Evidence
• Organizations and Social Institutions

Students in the Sociology program must maintain a 2.0 GPA in order to graduate.

Those who have good grades and have completed the 120 credit hours needed to complete their degree will receive a diploma and move on to a rewarding career such as:

• Population Specialist
• Probation Officer
• Secret Service Agent
• Public Opinion Surveyor

Enrollment

Prospective students are welcome to go to the University of California in Berkeley’s website to begin filling out the application.

There are deadlines throughout the year, so keep that in mind so you don’t miss anything important.

First, you’ll want to create an account on the website to get started.

Then, you’ll get the chance to fill out your personal information, and also include:

• Transcripts from high school or previous education
• ACT or SAT scores

You will also be asked some personal insight questions, so answer honestly so the school can get the best feel of who you really are.

Once you submit your application, you’ll be able to fill out financial aid information as well as housing information to get you started for your first day of school.

It should take no more than a month to hear back on whether you have been accepted or not.

Then, you can begin enrolling in classes and going to orientation.

Fees

Those who are from California will pay $46,008 per year to attend this school while out of state students will pay $78,582 for their yearly tuition.

After four years of education, California residents will have a total tuition bill of $104,032 and out of state learners will have to pay $314,328 for a degree.

Food and housing are a separate bill and can be discussed with an academic advisor as the rates change frequently.

Other fees may apply such as healthcare, books, and transportation, adding up to about $10,000 per year.

Financial aid and scholarship are available at this school.

Contact Information

• Address: University Ave and Oxford St. Berkeley, CA 94720
• Phone: 510-642-6000
• Website: www.berkeley.edu

---

6University of California-Santa Barbara

Oceanside University of California in Santa Barbara is perfect for those who want to spend their days near water, looking out onto a gorgeous seascape.

At the University of California in Santa Barbara, social intellect and education intermingle to create a cohesive experience for all students.

As one for the leading research institutions in the state, there are plenty of new factors to discover when studying here.

The University of California in Santa Barbara is ranked number 7 in Best Colleges by U.S. News and World Report.

This is due to the beautiful campus, comprehensive curriculum, and diverse student body.

Students can discover over 100 different programs to partake in, one of those being the Sociology Bachelors degree.

Many of the courses taken on this degree path will be society and psychology based, which will include names such as:

• Readings in Sociology
• Methods of Sociological Research
• Sociology of the Body
• The Global City

Those who graduate from this program should expect to have the following learning outcomes:

• Ability to analyze issues from a sociological prospective
• Employ skills required to use sociological knowledge
• Design and apply research methods of sociology

Once all of these have been acquired and you have completed the 120 credit hours needed for graduation, you are ready to begin your career in Sociology.

Hundreds of opportunities will open for you once you have a degree from the University of California in Santa Barbara, like:

• Child Welfare Specialist
• Addiction Counselor
• Foreign Affairs Officer
• News Correspondent Reporter

Enrollment

Undergraduate applications are fairly simple at the University of California in Santa Barbara.

First year freshman, transfer students and international students are all welcome to apply.

All you will need to do is go to the website and find the admissions tab to begin the process.

In order to be considered for admission, prospective students will need to have at least a 3.0 GPA.

Filling out the application will require that you submit the following paperwork as well:

• Transcripts from high school or previous education
• ACT or SAT scores
• Letter of recommendation

Once you have completed all of the above and meet the criteria for admission, it should not take long to hear back about the status of your application.

Then, you can set up a campus tour, enroll in classes, and begin orientation for your first year of school at the University of California in Santa Barbara.

Fees

Tuition for California residents with room and board included adds up to $41,289 per year.

Those who do not wish to use those amenities will pay $23,013 to attend for one year.

If you are from out of state, that total goes up to $73,863 with room and board included.

However, if you plan to stay and eat off campus, the total amount of your tuition goes down to $55,587 per year.

It takes four years to finish a Bachelors degree here, so graduates from California will pay between $92,052 and $165,156 while out of state graduates will pay between $222,348 and $295,452.

Books and other miscellaneous fees are included in those numbers.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualified students.

Contact Information

• Address: Santa Barbara, CA 93106
• Phone: 805-893-8000
• Website: www.ucsb.edu

---

7California State University-Long Beach

In Long Beach, California you will find the bright and beautiful California State University.

This gorgeous 300 acre campus is perfect for those who want the big college experience.

Only having been founded in 1975, this school is considered young but it still has plenty of opportunity and alumni to prove its worth.

You’ll find small classes conducted by knowledgable professors who have experience in the fields in which they teach.

Considering that there are plenty of great majors to choose from, that says a lot.

One of the top majors to declare at California State University in Long Beach is the Sociology Bachelors degree.

It will take four years or 120 credit hours to finish this degree, and along the way students will be tasked to take on courses such as:

• Principles of Sociology
• Classical Sociological Theory
• Problems in International Social Conflict
• Sociology of Human Rights and Social Justice

Sociology majors at this school will also have the opportunity to take on an internship.

This can be done in your senior year and helps with hands-on knowledge so you don’t step into your career with no experience.

Speaking of careers, once you graduate from California State University in Long Beach, you will be ready to take on the world in roles like:

• Diversity Manager
• Business Analyst
• Public Health Educator
• Extension Services Specialist

Enrollment

In order to be considered for admission at California State University in Long Beach, you’ll need to be a high school senior or recently graduated.

It is also required that you meet the following criteria in order to be admitted:

• 2.5 GPA or higher
• 3,200 CSULB index for non-STEM students
• 3,600 CSULB index for STEM students
• Non-California residents must have a 3.0 GPA

All types of students are welcome to apply including transfer and international.

In order to apply, transfer and international students will have to meet requirements based on their major.

The cost to apply to California State University in Long Beach is $70 and that is non-refundable.

Fees

Students who are from California will pay 6,908 per year to attend this school, and since a Bachelors degree is a four year commitment, the total tuition costs for in-state graduates is $27,632.

Those who are not from California will pay $11,880 per year to attend for a total of $47,520 after four years of education.

Other fees that may occur include meal plans and housing which are discussed after enrollment to the university.

Contact Information

• Address: 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90840
• Phone: 562-985-4111
• Website: www.csulb.edu

---

8Santa Clara University

Those who are looking for a smaller school may enjoy Santa Clara University.

As a private school, the education here is top tier and will provide knowledge to anyone from around the world.

Though there aren’t as many majors here, the school still provides an incredible Sociology department and gives students the opportunity to earn a Bachelors degree in four years.

A degree in Sociology will help students understand society including cultures, diversity, and how humans behave and think.

This can help in many aspects of life, and classes that can assist in this include:

• Children, Youth, and Society
• The Criminal Justice System
• Empowerment and Human Services
• Race and Inequality

You will need to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in order to graduate from Santa Clara University.

Once you have complete all of the required courses and are ready to step into the real world of Sociology, take a look at a few of the careers you could achieve:

• Child Welfare Specialist
• Urban Planner
• Actuary
• Medical Sociologist

Enrollment

No matter if you are a first year freshman or continuing your education, you are welcome to apply to Santa Clara University.

You’ll want to go to the website to fill out the easy application right online.

This will cost $70 which is non-refundable at this time.

Along with your application, it is important to submit the following information:

• Official high school transcripts
• Academic teacher evaluation
• Secondary school report
• Mid-year report

Transfer students will be required to send in their transcripts from previous universities.

Once you complete the application, you will be emailed a personal ID and password in order to check the status of their enrollment.

International students are required to take the English Proficiency exam and mail in their results before they will be accepted to the school.

Fees

On campus students will pay $77,208 annually to attend this school.

It takes four years to complete a Bachelors degree, so graduates will pay a total of $308,832.

If you plan to live off campus, your tuition will be closer to $59,241.

This means that after graduation you will end up paying $236,964.

Other annual expenses may include:

• Books – $900
• Transportation – $1,900
• Personal expenses – $4,000

Contact Information

• Address: 500 El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA 95053
• Phone: 408-554-4000
• Website: www.scu.edu

---

9Point Loma Nazarene University

Point Loma Nazarene University is a private school that was founded in 1902 in San Diego, California.

This faith-based education system doesn’t just accept Christian students, in fact, students from all backgrounds are welcome to apply.

Considered to be in the top 20 of all schools according to U.S. News and World Report, there are some big things happening every day here.

Small classes and support from understanding and knowledgeable staff will get you far at Point Loma Nazarene University.

One of the many great programs to choose from here happens to be the Sociology Bachelors degree.

This program provides education to help understand society and the human brain.

Along with general education classes, students will become part of the solution to today’s issues in courses like:

• Living Justly in Contemporary Society
• Globalization and Culture
• Race and Ethnicity
• Sociology in the Family

Students will also take on psychology courses as well as general education courses on this degree path.

Once you have completed the required hours it takes to finish a four year degree here, you’ll be ready for graduation and a solid career in Sociology such as:

• Social Worker
• Urban and Regional Manager
• Public Policy Advisor
• Personnel Coordinator

Enrollment

High school seniors, transfer students, military students and even international students are all welcome to attend Point Loma Nazarene University.

The first step in the enrollment process is to fill out an application, which can be done on the school’s website.

Along with your application, you’ll need to submit:

• Transcripts from high school or previous education
• ACT or SAT scores
• Essay responses
• 2 letters of recommendation

You also have the option to conduct an interview with one of the academic advisors on staff at Point Loma Nazarene University.

After submitting your application, it will take about two weeks for an academic advisor to reach out to you via email or mail.

Fees

Students who want a basic tuition package will pay $42,600 per year to attend this school.

Those who plan to utilize room and board will pay $55,924 per year to attend.

This means that you will pay between $170,400 and $223,696 to earn a Bachelors degree.

Financial aid and scholarships are available and students can speak with a counselor at any time if the costs feel too overwhelming.

Contact Information

• Address: 3900 Lomaland Dr. San Diego, CA 92106
• Phone: 619-849-2200
• Website: www.pointloma.edu

---

10Fresno Pacific University

Fresno Pacific University is an accredited Christian school that was founded in 1944.

As a private institution, there are only about 2,000 students roaming the small campus each year.

Considered to be number 2 in colleges that are top performing in Social Mobility, there are some great things happening here every day.

You’ll want to become part of the Fresno Pacific University team even if you are not of the Christian faith.

The diverse student body consists of people from all walks of life, and you could be one of them.

With more than 100 areas of study, students who want to take a lead in society and understanding human behavior can do so in the Sociology Bachelors degree program.

Expect to take Sociology based courses that will pique your interest like:

• Culture and Society
• Intercultural Communication
• Media and Society
• Organizational Behavior

Students will also be provided the opportunity to study abroad as well as present their research at conferences around the country.

Another aspect of a degree in Sociology from Fresno Pacific University is that Sociology students will need to take on an internship with a local organization in order to graduate.

This will give hands-on experience in real world organizations so that stepping out into the real world in a career is easier.

Some of the careers that you will be able to accept once you graduate from this school include:

• Veteran Affairs Specialist
• Social Worker
• Community Relations Director
• Elementary School Teacher

Enrollment

High school seniors, first year freshman, transfer students, international learners and military students are all able to head to the website to find their application under the admission tab.

You can also print out the application and mail it in at Fresno Pacific University.

Either way, you will want to include copies of your transcript and complete financial aid information before you submit.

Once you send in your application, you should try and schedule a campus tour to see what the next four years will be like at Fresno Pacific University.

It will take two to four weeks to hear back from an academic advisor, at which time you’ll be able to enroll in orientation and begin finding the classes that are right for you.

Fees

Tuition per year at Fresno Pacific University is $35,548 and with room and board included that price goes up to $45,696.

It will be a four year commitment to earn a Bachelors degree at Fresno Pacific University.

Graduates who do not use room and board will pay $142,192 upon graduation and students who do use those amenities will pay $182,784.

Financial aid and scholarships are a big part of the education here, so don’t hesitate to use these to help pay for school.

Contact Information

• Address: 1717 South Chestnut Ave. Fresno, CA 93702
• Phone: 559-453-2000
• Website: www.fresno.edu

---