Sociology studies human social relationships, institutions, and patterns of social life. The discipline covers a wide range of topics, from family and education to inequality, work, culture, politics, and social change. Because human behavior is shaped by social contexts, sociologists study how institutions and organizations influence everyday life.
Sociology also draws on other areas of the social sciences to better understand society. Many universities have helped develop the discipline through research, teaching, and public engagement. Here are some of the leading sociology schools worldwide.
Top Sociology Schools in the World
1. University of Oxford
Teaching at the University of Oxford existed in some form as early as 1096. Oxford developed rapidly from 1167, and in 1231 its masters were recognized as a universitas, or corporation.
Oxford’s Department of Sociology offers graduate study through the MSc in Sociology, MPhil in Sociology and Demography, and DPhil in Sociology. At the undergraduate level, Oxford does not offer a standalone sociology degree; sociology is studied as part of interdisciplinary degrees such as Human Sciences, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and History and Politics.
Oxford Sociology has a strong analytical, empirical, and comparative orientation, with research and teaching connected to real-world challenges. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Oxford ranked second globally and first in Europe for sociology.
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology was incorporated in 1861. Its first building was in Boston, and the Institute moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1916. MIT emphasizes applying academic knowledge to real-world challenges.
Sociology at MIT is spread across several schools and departments rather than housed in one standalone sociology department. Its current sociology degree pathway is the Economic Sociology Program at MIT Sloan, a Ph.D. research group and concentration that applies sociological tools to organizations and the economy.
MIT remains especially strong in the social sciences more broadly. It ranked sixth in QS Social Sciences and Management 2026, making it a strong choice for students interested in economic sociology, organizations, work, and related social-science research.
3. Stanford University
Stanford University was founded in 1885 by Leland Stanford and Jane Lathrop Stanford as a memorial to their son, Leland Stanford Jr. Stanford developed into one of the leading research universities in the United States, with strong programs across the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
Sociology at Stanford traces its roots to the Department of Economics and Sociology. The Department of Anthropology and Sociology was formed in 1948, and an independent Department of Sociology was established in 1957.
Stanford Sociology offers undergraduate study, a coterminal MA for eligible Stanford undergraduates, MA options for eligible current Stanford advanced-degree students, and Ph.D. training. Stanford ranked third globally for sociology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
4. Harvard University
Harvard was founded in 1636 by vote of the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The college was later named Harvard College in 1639 in recognition of John Harvard’s bequest, and the Charter of 1650 established the Harvard Corporation.
Harvard University’s Department of Sociology was founded in the 1930s and has a long record of contributions to social science. The department offers undergraduate sociology and graduate Ph.D. programs, including Sociology, Sociology and Social Policy, and Organizational Behavior.
Harvard is currently ranked first globally for sociology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, making it one of the strongest choices for sociology students worldwide.
5. Princeton University
Princeton University was chartered as the College of New Jersey in 1746 and received a second charter in 1748. It was renamed Princeton University in 1896.
Princeton University’s Department of Sociology offers an A.B. undergraduate program and a Ph.D. program. Students can explore topics such as inequality, poverty, immigration, race and ethnic relations, discrimination, health and well-being, and religion in public life.
Princeton continues to be one of the leading sociology departments in the United States and is among the top-ranked global universities for sociology in the latest QS subject ranking.
6. University of California, Berkeley
In 1868, the University of California, Berkeley was created after the state’s Agricultural, Mining, and Mechanical Arts College and the private College of California joined their resources. The new public university built on land and institutional foundations that helped form what is now UC Berkeley.
The University of California, Berkeley’s Sociology Department is widely recognized for excellence in research and teaching. Berkeley’s undergraduate sociology degree includes training in research methods and sociological theory, and the graduate program offers a Ph.D. in sociology; Berkeley does not offer a standalone M.A. program in sociology.
Berkeley Sociology trains students across many areas of the discipline and ranked fifth globally for sociology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
7. London School of Economics and Political Science
The London School of Economics and Political Science opened in 1895 and joined the University of London in 1900, becoming the University’s Faculty of Economics.
LSE’s Department of Sociology was established in 1904 and was the first sociology department created in Britain. It is committed to empirically rich, conceptually sophisticated, and socially and politically relevant research and scholarship.
LSE offers sociology programs across undergraduate, taught postgraduate, and Ph.D. levels. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, LSE ranked sixth globally for sociology, making it one of the leading sociology schools worldwide.
We hope this article on some of the best sociology schools in the world was helpful. If you’re interested, check out the available programs for international students.
