Rural Sociology
A program that focuses on the structure and function of rural societies. Includes instruction in sociological theory, research methods, statistics, sociology of agriculture, community development, social and economic development, demography, rural poverty, gender roles in rural societies, and environmental sociology.
- Schools offering
- 4
- Annual completions
- 44
- Typical degree level
- Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $52k
About this major
A program that focuses on the structure and function of rural societies. Includes instruction in sociological theory, research methods, statistics, sociology of agriculture, community development, social and economic development, demography, rural poverty, gender roles in rural societies, and environmental sociology.
Examples of specialized tracks: Rural Development Studies.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, all other | $137k | +4.5% | Bachelor's degree |
| Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other | $75k | +1.7% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Sociology teachers, postsecondary | $83k | +2.1% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Sociologists | $102k | +3.6% | Master's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$52k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$46k
Bachelor's
$53k
Top colleges for Rural Sociology
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 0 | 16 | 16 |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | 0 | 13 | 13 |
| Geneva College | Beaver Falls, PA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Rural Sociology field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Rural Sociology worth it? Read verdict