10 Best Sociology Bachelor's Degree Schools in Tennessee

1Vanderbilt University

For over 150 years, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee has been a highly ranked private school.

Today, U.S. News and World Report considers Vanderbilt University to be number 18 among National Universities.

This mid-sized school is perfect for people who want a small town feel with Ivy League education.

Nearly 13,000 students attend each year, and many of those are from one of the fifty states as well as around the world.

Through the College of Arts and Sciences, students can enroll in one of the 100 programs.

A popular choice for people who want to learn more about society and how the world works is the Sociology Bachelors degree.

This degree helps students become attuned to the world around them as well as human behavior in courses such as:

• Politics, Law, and Conflict
• Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
• Climate Change and Society
• Human Ecology and Society

In order to graduate, students are required to pass a comprehensive exam.

After graduation, expect many doors to open for you in Sociology careers including:

• Special Librarian
• Student Personnel Worker
• Journalist
• Foreign Service Officer

Enrollment

A Vanderbilt University application can be found on the school’s website, but you can also mail one in if necessary.

Head to the admissions tab to find the undergraduate admissions link to begin.

You will need to create an account in order to submit your application.

Vanderbilt University requires you to submit some important documents along with your application:

• Letter of recommendation
• SAT or ACT scores
• Personal essay
• Short answers
• Extracurricular activity list

This school looks at the whole person when considering them for enrollment.

After completing your application you will want to apply for financial aid to have that all secured away for school.

Then, it is time to wait to hear back for an answer from Vanderbilt University, which could take up to three weeks.

Fees

Tuition at Vanderbilt University for off-campus students is $61,618 per year while those who live on campus will pay $89,590.

A degree from this university will take four years to complete, so off-campus students will end up paying $246,472 and on-campus students will pay $358,360 upon graduation.

Books and other fees are applied to these prices but you may encounter late fees, parking fees, and other miscellaneous fees.

Financial aid will help pay for school as well as scholarships and grants.

Contact Information

• Address: Nashville, TN 37240
• Phone: 615-322-7311
• Website: www.vanderbilt.edu

---

2University of Tennessee

Right in the middle of Knoxville, Tennessee, you will find the gorgeous University of Tennessee.

This large school houses over 27,000 students each year and is considered the flagship school of the state.

With over 100 different areas of expertise to choose from, you can do no wrong when considering this top of the line school.

One of the incredible programs that lasts four years is the Sociology Bachelors degree.

Within this degree path, students are welcome to complete General Sociology or consider a concentration to further their speciality:

• Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
• Environmental Sociology

Regardless of which way you choose to learn, you will be required to take on some important classes like:

• Statistical Reasoning
• Introduction to Sociology
• Sociological Theory
• Sociological Research

During your senior year, the University of Tennessee requires students to take on a capstone project that will help show how much you have learned through this four year process.

After completing all required classes and the project, you are ready to take on the world of Sociology in a role such as:

• Historian
• Law Enforcement Officer
• Civil Lawyer
• Management Trainee

Enrollment

Everyone is welcome to apply at the University of Tennessee from first year freshman to international learners.

The first step you should take is a campus tour, whether virtual or in person, to make sure the school is right for you.

Next, you’ll want to go to the website to fill out the application.

There is a $50 non-refundable fee for all applications submitted.

Along with your application, please include the following information:

• SAT or ACT scores
• Essay
• Recommendation letter
• Transcripts from high school or previous education

The University of Tennessee requires prospective students to meet the following criteria to be considered for enrollment:

• Extracurricular and leadership activities
• Awards
• Special talents or skills
• Rigor of high school curriculum
• Standardized test scores

It will take about two weeks to hear back from an academic advisor about the status of your application.

Fees

Tennessee residents will pay $12,844 per year to attend this school.

Since a Bachelors degree requires four years of education, the total amount of tuition upon graduation is $51,376.

Students from other states will pay $35,844 per year at the University of Tennessee.

The average non-residential graduate will pay $143,376 upon graduation from this university.

These numbers do not include room and board, which can be found when discussing options with an academic advisor once you have been admitted to the school.

Contact Information

• Address: Knoxville, TN 37996
• Phone: 865-974-1000
• Website: www.utk.edu

---

3East Tennessee State University

People from all over the world flock to East Tennessee State University for its diverse student body and professional faculty.

Nearly 14,000 students attend this school with their choice of 173 majors to begin their journey toward a rewarding career.

Not only do students get the best of the best when it comes to education, but extracurricular activities are available for a variety of interests.

A popular program for students who are ready to earn a Bachelors degree here is the Sociology expertise.

In this program, students will learn about the environment, health, aging, gender, culture and much more.

Along the way, you will be able to take general education classes as well as more specialized courses such as:

• Social Problems
• Sociological Research
• Social Statistics
• Classical Social Theory

Students will need to take and pass an exam during their senior year in order to complete requirements in this four year program.

Completing all of the above requirements and maintaining good grades will get you to graduation, then you’ll be ready for a great career in Sociology like:

• Education Administrator
• Curator
• Consultant
• Veteran Affairs Specialist

Enrollment

No matter if you are a first year freshman or a transfer student, you are welcome to apply to East Tennessee State University.

The first step is to head to the website to begin the easy application.

You can complete the application right online, all you will need to do is create an account to begin.

Then, fill out your personal information and make sure to include your transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.

After submitting all of your information, you will likely have to wait about a week or two to hear back from the school about the status of your acceptance.

Once you have been accepted, you’ll want to sign up for orientation and begin enrolling in classes.

Fees

Tennessee residents who will not live on campus will pay $9,950 per year in tuition.

Tennessee residents who will live on campus will pay $28,500 per year.

Those from out of state will need to pay a tuition fee of $10,790 to not live on campus and $29,340 to use room and board.

Since it takes about four years to complete a Bachelors degree, in-state students will pay between $39,800 and $114,000.

Out of state students will pay between $43,160 and $117,360 to finish a Bachelors degree at East Tennessee State University.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for all students regardless of residency.

Contact Information

• Address: 1276 Gilbreath Dr. Johnson City, TN 37614
• Phone: 423-439-1000
• Website: www.etsu.edu

---

4Carson Newman University

In Jefferson City, Tennessee there is a small private school known as Carson Newman University.

With just under 2,000 students attending each year, you can rest assured that you will receive individualized attention from renowned professors here.

Carson Newman University is considered a Christian school with Christian values, but those who are not of this faith are welcome to apply.

Consider yourself lucky that you can advance your knowledge in one of the over 100 programs available for students.

One of these such programs is the Sociology Bachelors degree, a four year commitment.

Students will understand community and how we are all connected in this 120 credit hour program.

Along the way, take advantage of research opportunities and discussion in courses like:

• Cross-Cultural Awareness
• Race and Ethnicity
• Society and the Individual
• Social Problems

Students can even pursue a concentration within this department:

• Criminology
• Human Services
• Cross-Cultural

No matter which path you choose, you will be ready to take on the world once you graduate from Carson Newman University.

In your senior year, it will be important to take part in an internship to gain hands-on knowledge in the field.

Completing these goals will create a knowledge in Sociology that will lead you toward a successful career such as:

• Public Relations Specialist
• Diversity Manager
• Quality Control Manager
• Teacher

Enrollment

All types of students can enroll at Carson Newman University, all you need to do is fill out the online application.

The application is free to complete and should only take about twenty minutes.

You will need to create an account right on the website in order to participate.

Then, you will fill out your personal information and include important documents like transcripts from previous education as well as ACT or SAT scores.

Once you have been admitted to the school, which should take about two weeks to find out, you’ll need to fill out financial aid information and pay the enrollment deposit of $200.

Finally, it is time to look at housing and sign up for orientation as well as enroll in classes.

Fees

A year at Carson Newman University will cost $32,900 which adds up to $131,600 after four years of education.

For those who want to live on campus and use meal plans, the price will increase but there are many options for both, which should be discussed with an academic advisor.

The average room and board package will add over $9,750 per year to the price of tuition.

Other fees that may apply include:

• Books – $1,600
• Transportation – $1,670
• Personal – $2,066

Financial aid and scholarships are available at this university.

Contact Information

• Address: 1646 Russell Ave. Jefferson City, TN 37760
• Phone: 865-471-2000
• Website: www.cn.edu

---

5University of Memphis

This mid-sized public school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and that is where it gets its name.

The University of Memphis is smack in the middle of a bustling city, so for those who like city life, this is perfect.

This four year school is on a 1,600 acre campus, which means you’ll have plenty of room to roam and enjoy the views.

Along the way, consider one of the hundreds of academic programs, such as the Sociology Bachelors degree.

Students will take four years to study groups of people, culture, gender, society, and much more.

A unique aspect of learning at the University of Memphis is that you can takeCa classes online or in person.

Some of the courses that are required to pass in order to graduate from the Unviersty of Memphis include:

• Careers in Sociology
• Social Statistics
• Methods of Social Research
• Writing in Sociology

The award winning faculty here will set you on the right path toward success.

Once you have graduated from the University of Memphis, take what you have learned and find yourself in some incredible careers, which could be:

• Legislative Aide
• Special Agent
• Program Officer
• Market Researcher

Enrollment

You will find the easy application right on the University of Memphis website.

All you will need to do is create an account to begin.

There is a $25 non-refundable application fee, but freshman can waive this fee if necessary.

After completing your personal information, it is time to submit some documents, such as:

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

Once you have completed the application, you can sign up for a campus tour to get better acquainted with the layout of the school.

Then, you will have some time to wait for an academic advisor to reach out to you about the status of your acceptance.

This is a great time to get settled with financial aid and consider housing options.

Fees

Tennessee residents who plan to learn full time at the University of Memphis will pay $5,172 per year.

A four year degree is typical for Bachelors programs, which means students from Tennessee will end up paying $20,688 in tuition costs.

Those who are not from Tennessee will pay $9,012 per year while international students will pay $11,787 per year.

Non-residents of Tennessee will end up paying $36,048 after four years while international graduates will pay $47,148.

Housing and meal plans are not considered in these prices as they change and vary depending on need, contact an academic advisor to learn more.

Contact Information

• Address: 3720 Alumni Ave. Memphis, TN 38152
• Phone: 901-678-2000
• Website: www.memphis.edu

---

6Belmont University

Another historic private school in Tennessee is Belmont University.

This Christ-Centered Christian school in Nashville is perfect for those with a religious background.

People from all over the world come here to enjoy one of the 100 majors and several extracurricular activities.

In fact, nearly 8,000 students attend this inspiring and purposeful university each year.

One of the majors that you can choose here at Belmont University is the Sociology Bachelors degree.

As a four year degree, students will learn a variety of important theories in society, culture, race, and much more.

A few of the classes that you will be expected to take on your journey include:

• Elementary Statistics
• Sociological Theory
• Social Research Methods
• Sociology of Religion

Students can also enroll in UNICEF here at Belmont as well as the Pre-Law Society and Belmont Ascend.

Take all that you have learned at Belmont University and find a lifelong career in an integral role in Sociology such as:

• School Counselor
• Technical Writer
• Public Health Educator
• Urban Planner

Enrollment

Under the admissions tab on the Belmont University website you will see that all types of people are welcome to apply.

First year freshman, transfer, military and veteran students, as well as international students can all submit an application.

Find the correct application for the type of student you are and fill out your personal information.

Everything can be done right from your computer and should be a simple 30 minute process.

Create an account to begin and then submit your information as well as some important documents:

• Transcripts from high school or previous universities
• ACT or SAT scores
• School counselor recommendation

There is a $50 application fee that is non-refundable that must be submitted along with your application.

Once you have completed all of the above, it is likely that you will hear back from the school within two to three weeks.

Then, you can start looking into orientation as well as enrolling in classes once you have been admitted.

Fees

Tuition for one year at Belmont University is $41,320 but for those who want to take part in room and board amenities, that price goes up to $55,130.

It will take about four years to finish your Bachelors degree at Belmont University, so students will pay between $165,280 and $220,520 upon graduation.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for all students.

Contact Information

• Address: 1900 Belmont Blvd. Nashville, TN 37212
• Phone: 615-460-6000
• Website: www.belmont.edu

---

7Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee is home to Middle Tennessee State University, a mid-sized public school.

With over 300 programs to choose from, there are a variety of ways to earn and learn right in the middle of Tennessee.

Students who attend Middle Tennessee State University can find success in the Sociology Bachelors degree program.

This program is a four year long commitment that will take you on a journey to understanding society, race, culture, and human behavior.

You will learn through a mix of hands-on experiences as well as discussion with likeminded students.

Students are also welcome to consider taking classes online throughout this Sociology program.

Along the way, take classes that will expand your mind such as:

• Sociology as a Profession
• Sociological Theory
• Data Analysis
• Social Inequality

During your senior year it will be important to consider the senior seminar, which will teach you hands-on knowledge in the field.

It will take four years to finish this degree, and upon graduation you will be ready for the world in Sociology roles including:

• Census Researcher
• Community Health Worker
• School Counselor
• Criminologist

Enrollment

First year freshman, transfer students, and international students can apply to Middle Tennessee State University.

This college does have a rule that you must have at least a 3.0 GPA in order to apply.

Head to the website and submit your application.

Along with your personal information you will need to provide transcripts from high school or previous education.

If you are an international student, you will need to provide scores from English proficiency exams.

After completing and submitting all of your information, you will likely hear back from the school within two weeks.

At this time, you’ll be able to sign up for classes and orientation to begin your first day.

Fees

Tennessee residents will pay $9,694 per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

After four years this will be $38,776 to earn a Bachelors degree.

Those who want to live and eat on campus, you’ll pay an extra $11,518 per year.

Which adds up to $21,212 per year and $84,848 for the four years it takes to earn a degree.

Those from out of state will have a tuition bill of $29,858 per year to attend and that does not include room and board.

With these amenities, out of state students will pay $50,032 per year.

This means that students will pay between $119,432 and $200,128 to attend this school.

Contact Information

• Address: 1301 East. Main St. Murfreesboro, TN 37132
• Phone: 615-898-2300
• Website: www.mtsu.edu

---

8Maryville College

Our last Tennessee based school is another private institution that has been around since the early 1900’s.

Historic, yet still prevalent, Maryville College is a cornerstone for exceptional education in Tennessee.

Considered one of the Best Colleges in 2023 by Money Magazine, Maryville College is doing well for itself.

You will also find that this is one of the top schools for those looking for adventure in Tennessee as well as around the world with a variety of study abroad programs.

One of the popular choices for undergraduate degrees here is the Sociology Bachelors degree program.

This program will take you on a four year journey to discovering society, understanding race, culture, and gender in new and exciting ways.

Take on research opportunities and discussion with likeminded classmates in courses like:

• Social Theory
• Cultural Anthropology
• Social Psychology
• Environmental Sociology

Students will need to take part in individualized study seminars during their senior year to complete this program.

Then, after you graduate, you will have experience and find it easier to gain access to roles in Sociology that may include:

• Addiction Counselor
• Environmental Specialist
• Geographer
• Public Relations Manager

Enrollment

It is easy to apply to Maryville college, all you will need to do is find the admissions tab on the website.

It shouldn’t take more than a half an hour to complete the application.

One of the suggestions of Maryville College is to take a campus tour before considering admission.

Along with your application, please provide the following paperwork:

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

It will take about two weeks to hear back from the school, and an advisor will likely contact you within that time to do an interview.

Fees

The tuition for a full year of school at this college is about $37,618.

With room and board, that price goes up by $13,000.

On average, an on-campus student pays $50,618 a year at Maryville College.

Since most Bachelors degrees require four years of school, the typical tuition prices range from $150,472 to $202,472.

Contact Information

• Address: 502 East Lamar Alexander Pkwy. Maryville, TN 37804
• Phone: 800-597-2687
• Website: www.maryvillecollege.edu

---

9East Kentucky University

The first out of state school on our list is Eastern Kentucky University which is in Richmond, Kentucky.

This rural campus will be a change of pace from many of the larger public schools on our list.

Those who want a smaller campus to enjoy will like this peaceful school with about 10,000 students enrolled each year.

At Eastern Kentucky University, students can take on one of the 100 programs available.

Those who have a knack for understanding society and want to learn more about gender, human behavior, social changes and more will enjoy enrolling in the Sociology Bachelors degree program.

Through both classroom and research opportunities, students will learn comprehensive and inclusive education in classes like:

• Social Inequalities
• Sex and Gender
• Sociological Theory
• The Global Economy

Each professor has the highest degree in the field in which they teach, which makes for meaningful discussion and knowledge.

After completing 120 credit hours, it is time to graduate and move onto the real world in a career such as:

• Legislative Aide
• Program Officer
• Market Researcher
• Environmental Specialist

Enrollment

It is free to apply to Eastern Kentucky University for first year freshman to international students.

All that is required is that you head to the website to fill out the online application.

Don’t forget to include the following information:

• High school or previous education transcripts
• ACT or SAT scores

In order to be considered for admission at this school you must have at least a 2.5 GPA.

After you apply, submit your financial aid information and prepare to hear back from an academic advisor about your enrollment status.

Fees

Residents of Kentucky will pay $4,772 per year to attend this school which adds up to $19,088 after graduation.

Those who are not from Kentucky will pay $9,961 per year to attend and $39,844 after four years of school.

All students are welcome to apply and use financial aid as well as scholarships and grants.

Contact Information

• Address: 521 Lancaster Ave. Richmond, KY 40475
• Phone: 859-622-2106
• Website: www.eku.edu

---

10University of Kentucky

Last but not leas we have the University of Kentucky, another out of state school for people from Tennessee.

This large public school provides education to about 22,000 students each year.

If you are from Tennessee, you will need to move to Kentucky in order to enroll here.

You will find plenty of fun and interesting organizations, clubs, sports, and extracurriculars to pass the time at the University of Kentucky.

One of the popular choices for Bachelors degrees here is the Sociology program, which will take four years to complete.

Through the Department of Arts and Sciences, students will engage in discussion and research in theoretical topics such as:

• Global Societies
• Community, Culture, and Citizenship in the U.S.
• Medicine, Health, and Society
• Sociological Research Methods

During your senior year, it will be required to take on a local internship to gain hands-on experience in Sociology.

Once you have done all that you need to do to graduate, be prepared for hundreds of opportunities to align in your favor with roles in Sociology like:

• Child Welfare Officer
• Community Organizer
• Consumer Advocate
• Professor

Enrollment

All types of students from first year freshman to transfer and international learners are invited to apply to the University of Kentucky.

Feel free to book a campus tour before beginning your application.

Once you have decided that this is the right school for you, head to the website to begin applying.

Keep in mind that there is a $50 non-refundable fee which needs to be submitted along with your application.

Along with your personal information, please include the following documents:

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

Then, you can fill out financial aid information if necessary, and finally you’ll have to wait a couple of weeks to hear back about the status of your enrollment.

Fees

Those who stay off campus will pay$32,376 per year, and if you plan to use room and board, that number goes up to $48,930.

After four years, graduates will pay either $129,504 or $195,720 to fulfill their dreams of earning a degree.

Financial aid, work/study programs, and even exchange student programs are available at the University of Kentucky.

Contact Information

• Address: 410 Administration Dr. Lexington, KY 40506
• Phone: 859-257-9000
• Website: www.uky.edu

---