New Hampshire · Sociology Rankings · 2027

Best Sociology Programs in New Hampshire for 2027

Dartmouth College in Hanover ranks first for sociology at the bachelor’s level. Compare the 6 ranked schools in New Hampshire through their costs, degree awards, and the program details below.

Posted October 9, 2026Updated October 9, 20266 Schools Ranked
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Sociology Bachelor’s Degree Programs in New Hampshire

6 schools in New Hampshire awarded sociology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 843 bachelor’s programs nationwide.

  1. 1

    Dartmouth College

    Standard Major in Sociology

    Hanover Private nonprofit

    76.7 Comparison Score

    Dartmouth’s standard sociology major is eleven courses: an introduction, two methods courses (SOCY 10 and SOCY 11), a theory course and seven more numbered 20 or higher. Every major ends with a culminating experience, chosen from The Sociological Imagination (SOCY 91), a Community-Engaged Research Practicum (SOCY 92) or an Honors Thesis (SOCY 98 and 99). If your interests cross departments, the modified major runs thirteen courses and adds four related courses from other programs, with approval from the chair. Dartmouth awarded 33 degrees in this field in 2023–24, first on the New Hampshire page.

    Methods Sequence
    SOCY 10 and SOCY 11
    Culminating Experience
    Sociological Imagination, Community-Engaged Research Practicum or Honors Thesis
    Modified Major
    Thirteen courses, including four related courses from other programs

    Program Sources: The Standard Major and Modified Major | Department of Sociology

    Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
    33
    Sociology, 2023–24
    School Six-Year Graduation Rate
    96%
    1,165 first-time, full-time students
    Median Graduate Earnings
    $81,722
    Sociology bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $68,019
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $68,019
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
  2. 2

    University of New Hampshire

    Sociology Major (B.A.)

    Durham Public

    68.9 Comparison Score

    Five four-credit courses form the core of UNH’s sociology BA: introductory sociology, statistics, sociological theory, sociological analysis and methods of social research. You then choose five electives, at least two at the 600 or 700 level, and finish with a capstone that can be a 600 or 700-level course, an IROP or SURF research experience, or a senior thesis. Majors complete at least 40 credits in sociology, and the departmental honors program is recommended for students above a 3.4 GPA. The program awarded 21 degrees in 2023–24, second on the New Hampshire page.

    Required Core
    Introductory sociology, statistics, theory, sociological analysis and methods of social research
    Capstone
    Advanced course, IROP or SURF research experience, or senior thesis
    Major Size
    At least 40 credits in sociology

    Program Sources: Sociology Major (B.A.) | University of New Hampshire Academic Catalog

    Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
    21
    Sociology, 2023–24
    School Six-Year Graduation Rate
    76%
    2,986 first-time, full-time students
    Median Graduate Earnings
    $54,785
    Sociology bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $19,202
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $39,852
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
  3. 3

    Keene State College

    Sociology (B.A.)

    Keene Public

    53.3 Comparison Score

    Keene State’s sociology BA is 40 credits, with a 24-credit core that pairs sociology with anthropology: introductory sociology, research methods, theory, introductory statistics, cultural anthropology or archaeology, and one 400-level seminar from options such as ethnographic research methods, white-collar crime, terrorism and social inequalities. The other 16 credits are electives in sociology, anthropology or criminal justice studies, 12 of them at the 300 level or higher. Coursework can include community research, service-learning projects, internships and travel. It awarded 18 degrees in 2023–24.

    Core Courses
    24 credits, including research methods, theory, statistics and an anthropology course
    Senior Seminar Options
    Ethnographic research methods, white-collar crime, terrorism, social inequalities and more
    Electives
    16 credits across sociology, anthropology and criminal justice studies

    Program Sources: Sociology (B.A.) < CourseLeaf | Keene State College Academic Catalog

    Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
    18
    Sociology, 2023–24
    School Six-Year Graduation Rate
    60%
    944 first-time, full-time students
    Median Graduate Earnings
    $47,885
    Sociology bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $14,784
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $26,840
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
  4. 4

    Saint Anselm College

    Sociology

    Manchester Private nonprofit

    42.0 Comparison Score

    Saint Anselm’s sociology majors take five required courses in sequence: SO 101 introduction, SO 211 research methods, SO 212 social statistics, SO 325 sociological theory and SO 453 senior seminar, plus four electives. The college suggests starting SO 101 in the first year and research methods as a sophomore. Seniors are highly encouraged to complete a one-course or two-course internship (SO 481 or SO 485), and a social work course can count as an elective. Five degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

    Required Courses
    Introduction, research methods, social statistics, theory and senior seminar
    Internship
    One-course (SO 481) or two-course (SO 485) senior-year internship
    Electives
    Four sociology electives, with SW 300 allowed

    Program Sources: Program: Sociology - Saint Anselm College

    Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
    5
    Sociology, 2023–24
    School Six-Year Graduation Rate
    80%
    591 first-time, full-time students
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $48,920
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $48,920
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
  5. 5

    Colby-Sawyer College

    Sociology and Human Services: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

    New London Private nonprofit

    35.8 Comparison Score

    Sociology and human services is one major at Colby-Sawyer, and the sociology track totals 44 credits. It runs through introduction to sociology, U.S. social problems, race and ethnic relations, gender and society and research methods in the social sciences, then a required internship of at least four credits and a capstone for the social sciences, with 16 credits of track electives. The learning outcomes connect classwork to a placement in a social organization. The other track is human services, which prepares generalist helping professionals. Four degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

    Sociology Track
    44 credits of required courses and electives
    Internship
    Minimum of four credits in a social organization
    Capstone
    Capstone for the Social Sciences

    Program Sources: Sociology and Human Services: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) | Colby-Sawyer College

    Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
    4
    Sociology, 2023–24
    School Six-Year Graduation Rate
    54%
    235 first-time, full-time students
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $19,125
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $19,125
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
  6. 6

    Rivier University

    B.A. in Sociology

    Nashua Private nonprofit

    25.5 Comparison Score

    Rivier’s sociology BA is taught on the Nashua campus and blends research with activism: you can conduct original research, present at conferences and take part in social activism. The major covers race, criminology, culture, social change, gender, age, education, politics and the economy, so you can tailor the degree toward goals such as counseling, human resources or community planning. Internships add practical experience, and many alumni go on to master’s programs or law school. Rivier awarded one degree in this field in 2023–24, so expect a very small cohort.

    Research Opportunities
    Original research, conference presentations and social activism
    Topics Covered
    Race, criminology, culture, social change, gender, age, education, politics and the economy
    Internships
    Hands-on experience and professional networking

    Program Sources: B.A. in Sociology | Rivier University

    Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
    1
    Sociology, 2023–24
    School Six-Year Graduation Rate
    51%
    269 first-time, full-time students
    In-State Tuition + Fees
    $39,488
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
    Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
    $39,488
    Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

Sociology Programs in New Hampshire at a Glance

Ranked Schools
6
2 public, 4 private
Bachelor’s Programs
6
82 degrees in 2023–24
Lowest In-State Tuition
$14,784
Bachelor’s list, schoolwide, 2024–25

How We Rank Sociology Programs in New Hampshire

Each program gets the same comparison score it earns in our national sociology model, calculated against the nationwide group that meets the numeric and directory criteria. We then order New Hampshire’s eligible programs by that score within each degree level. This page features up to 10 programs, taking the next highest-ranked program from each degree-level list in turn. Scores are compared only within the same degree level. Bachelor’s lists weigh graduation rate (20%), published tuition (20%), graduate earnings (20%), program reputation (25%), and degrees awarded (15%). Methodology and data sources.

Best Sociology Schools in New Hampshire by Goal

These picks compare only the programs featured in the lists above.

Lowest In-State Tuition for a Bachelor’s

Keene State College

$14,784 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents (2024–25), the lowest among the 6 bachelor’s programs shown here.

Most Sociology Bachelor’s Graduates

Dartmouth College

33 sociology bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2023–24, the most of any school on this list.

Top-Scoring Public University

University of New Hampshire

The highest-scoring public school on the bachelor’s list (No. 2 overall), with a comparison score of 68.9.

Sociology in New Hampshire: Dartmouth Leads the Bachelor’s List

Keene State College ranks third on the bachelor’s list and lists the lowest resident price, $14,784 in schoolwide tuition and required fees for 2024–25. It awarded 18 sociology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, close to UNH’s 21. The private schools below it vary widely on cost. Colby-Sawyer College in New London lists $19,125, just under UNH’s $19,202 resident figure, while Saint Anselm College lists $48,920 and Rivier University $39,488. Saint Anselm reports an 80% schoolwide graduation rate, second only to Dartmouth among the bachelor’s schools.

The bachelor’s list has two public schools, UNH in Durham and Keene State College, and four private ones. Dartmouth is the only school on it with a schoolwide graduation rate above 90%, at 96%.

Sociology Careers and Pay in New Hampshire

These are BLS median annual wages for New Hampshire and the United States from the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. A median is the midpoint among workers in the occupation, from new hires to senior staff, so it is not a starting salary for a new graduate. The 10th–90th percentile range shows what the middle 80% of workers earn in the state.

Annual wages in New Hampshire compared with the United States
OccupationNew Hampshire MedianNew Hampshire 10th–90th PercentileU.S. MedianNew Hampshire Jobs
Social Science Research Assistants$65,690$37,350–$93,030$61,99070
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$64,570$46,660–$136,640$78,7604,200

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Wage data does not enter the program scores.

Sociology Programs in New Hampshire: Common Questions

How Many Schools in New Hampshire Appear in These Sociology Rankings?

6 schools in New Hampshire appear in the lists shown here (6 bachelor’s programs). A school can appear at more than one degree level. The degree counts come from federal IPEDS completions for 2023–24.

Which Sociology Bachelor’s Program in New Hampshire Has the Lowest Tuition?

Keene State College lists $14,784 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents in 2024–25, the lowest among the bachelor’s programs shown here. That is a schoolwide figure before aid, so check the program’s own costs and any fees for fieldwork or labs.

Which Schools in New Hampshire Reported Sociology Research Doctorates in 2023–24?

The federal IPEDS completions file records sociology research doctorates awarded in 2023–24 at University of New Hampshire (2 degrees). These are historical award counts. Check current admissions, advisor availability, and funding directly with each department.

How Do Dartmouth and UNH Compare for Sociology?

Dartmouth ranks first on the bachelor’s list with a comparison score of 76.7, and UNH ranks second at 68.9. Dartmouth awarded more sociology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24 (33 to UNH’s 21) and reports a 96% schoolwide graduation rate to UNH’s 76%. Schoolwide 2024–25 tuition and required fees are $68,019 at Dartmouth and $19,202 for UNH residents.

Which Ranked Sociology Bachelor’s Program Has the Lowest Resident Tuition in New Hampshire?

Keene State College in Keene has the lowest resident tuition and required fees among the ranked sociology bachelor’s programs: $14,784 for 2024–25. The nonresident figure is $26,840. Those are schoolwide undergraduate charges. Compare your aid offer and housing costs before deciding which school fits your budget.

Sources for This Page

  1. IPEDS C2024_A completions: first-major degrees awarded by field and level, 2023–24.
  2. IPEDS COST1_2024: tuition and required fees, 2024–25.
  3. IPEDS DRVGR2024: schoolwide graduation rates.
  4. Carnegie 2025 Research Activity Designations.
  5. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates.
  6. SocialSciences.org ranking methodology.