The cheapest online sociology degree offers a flexible path to understanding social behavior, institutions, and societal change. Designed to fit your schedule, these online sociology bachelor's degrees can lead to careers in social services, education, and beyond, helping you make a meaningful impact.
Key Takeaways:
- National University has the most affordable online B.A. in Sociology, with yearly tuition at $4,162.
- Eastern New Mexico University has the highest median earnings of $50,746 for sociology graduates.
- Charter Oak State College has an exceptionally high graduation rate at 100%.
We carefully assess tuition rates to feature online degrees that provide the best affordability. All schools included are accredited and offer fully online programs with straightforward pricing. Read our to learn about our approach.
2025 Most Affordable Online Sociology Degrees
Overview of Online Sociology Bachelor鈥檚 Degrees
An online sociology degree provides a broad understanding of human behavior and society's interconnectedness. Students explore elements of race, gender, religion, and class as part of their research into societal structures. The degree also trains students to communicate effectively, think critically, and analyze data and statistics. These skills allow graduates to pursue work in many areas, such as social work, human resources, and marketing. Concentrations narrow the scope of core coursework, covering social justice, community action, medical sociology, and the environment.
Students must have a high school diploma or GED to be accepted into a sociology bachelor degree. Although many affordable schools have open admissions policies, there may be minimum GPA or college entrance exam requirements. Once accepted, these programs are completed in approximately four years for full-time students.
Still undecided on your major? Check out similar fields, like online liberal studies degrees and anthropology programs.
Common Courses
Sociology is a social science examining societal functions, interactions, and issues. Many courses are designed to introduce students to core foundations in the field and include a diverse range of subjects. Coursework also features technical courses in statistical analysis and research methods that prepare students with the skills needed to quantify sociology theories.
Social Inequality
This course aims to understand the reasons and results of social inequality. Students look closely at health, environmental, political, and economic aspects to better understand the significance of inequality in society and how resources are often distributed unevenly. Instructors may look at historical inequality and the scarcity issues facing modern communities.
Principles of Sociology
This foundational course introduces students to the concepts that make up sociology. Research and theory are used to identify issues at individual level and to those that affect society as a whole. The principles outlined in this course encourage students to apply their critical thinking skills as they deconstruct controversial issues.
Social Research Methods
Social Research Methods is a practical course teaching the techniques used by professional social researchers. Students learn how to test hypotheses, design research parameters, collect quantitative data, and visualize information through graphs and tables. They'll also learn the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), a statistical analysis software.
Funding an Online Sociology Degree
It's always challenging figuring out how to fund a college education. Tuition costs are rising, and more and more students are incurring debt. However, students can save money on fees, books, and living expenses by seeking an affordable online sociology degree that requires less funding to pursue. Although these programs may be cheaper, students should still discover ways to save money in college.
Getting a part-time job in college is one of the best ways to supplement the high cost of education. Students can earn an income while gaining valuable work experience that will benefit them during their career search. Some examples include research assistants, social service assistants, marketing assistants, and human resource associates. Fortunately, online sociology degrees are flexible and often allow students to study on their own schedules.
Students who need money from outside sources can explore several avenues for funding. Even the most affordable sociology degrees offer access to scholarships, grants, and work-study programs through federal aid. Some are repayable loans, while others are awarded based on merit.
Financial Aid
The most common form of financial aid comes from the federal government. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an online form that allows students to apply for various forms of aid simultaneously, including grants and student loans.
There are two types of federal student loans for undergraduate students: subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Subsidized loans are based on financial need, while unsubsidized loans do not have financial requirements. The other difference is that unsubsidized loans require students to pay interest as soon as the loan is paid out, while subsidized loans only require students to pay interest after school is finished.
Only currently enrolled students are eligible to apply through FAFSA. This means that the application must be filled out either during the application process or immediately after students are accepted into an undergraduate program.
What Can You Do With an Online Sociology Degree?
Sociology emphasizes theories that are difficult to prove, therefore requiring a lot of research to test their accuracy. For this reason, many students wish to continue researching these themes by pursuing an affordable online master's in sociology. During these advanced programs, students learn how to conduct their own research into the sociological theories that they're most interested in. Graduates can explore careers at universities and research institutes where they can continue their research on a professional level.
Some undergraduate sociology students may need help finding the right career path. The field is broad and can lead to many different occupations. Additional credentials are needed for some roles, such as social worker licenses, requiring bachelor's graduates to have field experience and pass state exams.
Human Resources Specialists
are responsible for a number of employee-related tasks within professional organizations. They address numerous social issues employees face like discrimination and privacy, disseminate compensation and benefits information, and help to create a positive company culture. They also interview, hire, and train new employees.
Social Workers
The role of is diverse. They assist people in tackling the challenges of everyday life. They work closely with issues related to mental health, abuse, old age, and childcare, among many others. Daily tasks include helping clients apply for benefits, providing therapy services, researching community resources, and responding to client emergencies.
Market Research Analysts
work within the scientific realm of sociology. They inquire about trends in consumer behavior, market conditions, and marketing campaigns. Professionals collect data through surveys and polls, analyze their findings in software programs, and create useful data representations for their company or organization. They work in a variety of industries such as finance, publishing, and business.
FAQs About Online Sociology Degrees
How Do I Choose a Bachelor鈥檚 in Sociology?
There are different factors to consider when choosing the best online sociology degree. However, a lot of students base their decision on affordability. Tuition is expensive, with even the most affordable sociology degrees costing between $5,000 and $8,000 per year. Studying online can help reduce costs because it's cheaper for schools to host remote classes. Plus, students can live at home without the need to pay expensive campus living costs or commute to class everyday.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Sociology Degree?
Sociology degrees usually take full-time students four years to complete. Most programs require 120 credits, which means full-time schedules consist of between 9 to 12 credits per semester. Keep in mind that some schools have minimum credit requirements that must be completed each term to be eligible for financial aid.
Can You Become a Social Worker With a Sociology Degree?
Yes, sociology degrees can provide a path to a social work career. In fact, a 2019 study published by the found that sociology students developed a positive empathy change during their coursework, a type of awareness that's ideal for social workers.
Social workers must be licensed, and although each state has their own requirements, sociology curricula prepare students to pass the appropriate exams. These curricula produce the knowledge to understand people's needs and the skills to address their issues.
Is a Sociology Degree Worth It?
Sociology degrees are great options for students interested in studying the causes and effects of human interconnectivity. Skill development in communication and research allow students to use science to help people succeed in their daily lives. Even though sociology salaries are slightly above the median rate for all occupations, there's still a risk of accruing substantial student debt. Students that manage expenses and seek part-time work during their degree, whether in marketing, social services, or human resources, are more likely to find careers with a higher income after graduation.
Student Reviews of Online Sociology Programs
Cal State San Marcos has a welcoming campus, supportive staff, and modern classrooms. The school values diversity and offers strong student support services. Parking can be tough, and class spots fill fast, but overall, it鈥檚 a great place to grow and learn.
Review Date: 6/9/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Wow! This is my second time writing a review on GCU. I felt my first review may have been a little unfair to them. Until I read other reviews and saw that they were treated exactly the same as I was. I won鈥檛 make this a long review. I鈥檒l make it short and honest. If you are an online student such as I was, keep looking. If you are military in anyway thinking you鈥檒l get a break, forget about it. If you think they鈥檙e a Christian school with morals and Christian ethics, it won鈥檛 take much to see otherwise.... Read More
Review Date: 12/16/2022
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
GCU is a great school! Everyone in NY that has gone there is I found the 8-week online class sequence to be very thorough, with academic rigor. As an online student, you have to do 8 discussion posts (APA format) with references to make a substantive post that will earn you a 100% for the participation points. In my experience, I have learned that at GCU, there is a lot of reading in my online program. The classes are writing intensive, and there are 1-2 projects (be it essays, filling in charts... Read More
Review Date: 2/26/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Always rate your professors 100/100 or 10/10 because of the new systems in which teachers can see who rated them. There are GPS applications and new software such as "dragon" in which teachers can see their feedback! This way students will pass their class. God bless everyone in the name of Jesus amen!
Review Date: 10/25/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Good Overall. The school is great. But some professors are unprofessional. A L. is also professor at Skidmore College, and former students have negatively reviewed her there. She is an effective teacher, but does not grade in a timely fashion.
Review Date: 10/28/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I first attended a state university and decided to transfer to an online university when I landed a full time job. I decided to go with Brandman simply because there is a campus in my area and I knew people who received their degrees through Brandman and had nothing out of the ordinary to say about it. During the enrollment process they call you like everyday, they are very eager to get you enrolled and started with classes but once I was enrolled and assigned a counselor that is when I began having... Read More
Review Date: 8/16/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Portland State University has some of the most amazing instructors and faculty that were an intrinsic part of my decision to pursue a master's degree. Their online format was easy to navigate and the feedback from instructors was on-point. The schools community of students and staff are very inclusive and appreciate diversity.
Review Date: 8/9/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
My degree program allowed me to meet great leaders in my community. Seeing their passion, and my professors' care for their students inspire me to become an urban sociology professor, contributing my skills to bettering a community through community engagement projects and higher education.
Review Date: 3/21/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I went to Ualbany while also working full time in a school. I took most of classes online and while many people consider online classes to lack person to person interaction I was always able to contact my professors and communicate with them. I would highly recommend someone take online courses from this university of even in person classes.
Review Date: 3/29/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I absolutely loved going to school at UC Davis. While Sociology is not necessarily a degree that will ensure a direct job immediately upon graduating, I was able to find work in my field. I had fantastic professors, a wonderful school department, and an overall incredible experience.
Review Date: 3/24/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
As a young single mother that came to TU with a delayed college timeline from previous issues and that also graduated in the middle of the pandemic...Towson gave me the best education I could've asked for and through all the challenges I faced, I wouldn't change any of it. I may not have gotten the adventurous college experience most young adults get but I had access to many resources and I had fellow classmates that came from a similar situation as mine. All of my professors were able to utilize... Read More
Review Date: 4/19/2022
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
California State University - Fullerton was recommended to me by friends and family, and has been one of my greatest decisions. I went back to pursue my Bachelor's in Sociology after several years of career and interest insecurity - pursuing several majors and dabbing in many different jobs. CSUF has constant career and professional development opportunities on campus that students are able to sign up for. They encourage networking, technology, and equity! Their staff is friendly and everyone I have... Read More
Review Date: 4/22/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I found the classes that were required to be interesting and stimulating. Unlike the traditional student, I worked forty hours a week and took the maximum credit hours available so I did not have time for extracurriculars outside of class so I cannot give an opinion on what is offered to the students over at Kennesaw State. Overall my majority of my professors were supportive and some provided my letters of recommendation to get into a Grad program. Classes are larger but seats do fill up rather... Read More
Review Date: 7/27/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
McNeese was an excellent University. I was able to land a job directly out of college. I am excited to continue on with McNeese State University for my Master's Degree in Criminal Justice. The professors are friendly and extremely accomplished professionals in their respective fields. I loved the smaller classroom sizes as well as the plethora of online options available to students.
Review Date: 3/18/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Saint Leo was amazing to say the least. I'm astonished at how many negative reviews that this school has because it was the best school I attended by far. I decided to transfer to this school after first getting my associates from a local community college, as well as a another 4yr University. This school was the best decision I could have made for myself, my only regret is not starting here. All my teachers were great and they all went above and beyond to help me succeed. As a veteran, I never had... Read More
Review Date: 4/9/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Saint Leo was amazing to say the least. I'm astonished at how many negative reviews that this school has because it was the best school I attended by far. I decided to transfer to this school after first getting my associates from a local community college, as well as attending another 4yr University. This school was the best decision I could have made for myself, my only regret is not starting here. All my teachers were great and they all went above and beyond to help me succeed. As a veteran, I... Read More
Review Date: 4/11/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The Cal State Fullerton campus has a "commuter school" vibe, but even with that being said, it is still beautiful, and relationships with others still can be created. The faculty seem very knowledgeable about the fields the fields that they are teaching, with a lot of them having past careers in those fields.
Review Date: 12/30/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
The University of Maryland is a highly diverse educational institution. Its proximity to Washington D.C. and other landmarks offers UMD students a unique variety of educational and future employment opportunities. If a student needs assistance, UMD staff is ready to help. Whether its academic advisors to help guide students in their academic progress or the campus career center to introduce students to many resources that will enable graduates to find jobs after earning their degrees, the UMD staff... Read More
Review Date: 12/29/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
West Texas A&M University is a great school to attend. They have online and on campus courses. The teachers care about you learning the material and are always available for help. The student body is great. The campus is pretty, safe, and friendly. I previously attended Texas Tech and when I transferred back to West Texas A&M, I noticed a huge difference in the amount I was able to learn because the classes are smaller. Instead of 500 students in a lecture hall, there were about 50 to 100 and you... Read More
Review Date: 6/17/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Small, private, Catholic University. Smaller class sizes made for better relationships with instructors and fellow students. While it is a Catholic university, there is a very inclusive atmosphere, and I didn't feel like an outsider as a non-Catholic. There were a lot of students and instructors from different faith and ethnic backgrounds. Very good supplemental instruction and tutoring programs for math and science classes. It would have been nice to see more student groups and activities.
Review Date: 5/31/2016
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes