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10 Affordable Online Sociology Degrees (2024)

Sociology is the study of human behavior, social relationships and institutions, cultural patterns, inequalities, and social change.

A sociology degree will train you in thinking critically, evidence-based problem-solving, and analyzing data. Sociology students look at public policy regarding areas like healthcare, families, the environment, employment, housing, education, politics, and justice.

Keep reading to learn about where you can earn an affordable sociology degree online.

The Top Affordable Sociology Degrees Online

If you're hoping to work online to obtain your undergraduate sociology degree at an economical rate of tuition, we've found some great options for affordable sociology degrees online.

1. American Public University System

Based in Charles Town, West Virginia, the American Public University system is home to an online Bachelor of Arts in sociology degree program with a required concentration from among the following:

  • community action
  • education
  • health
  • public policy
  • social justice
  • digital society

The tuition cost is $350 per credit, which adds up to $10,500 per year. Discounted tuition is available for military and veterans.

2. California State University Online

This listing is really a six-university list since Cal State offers online Bachelor of Arts in sociology degree programs at the following campuses:

  • Bakersfield
  • Chico
  • San Diego
  • San Marcos
  • Fullerton
  • San Bernardino

Cal State's tuition for California residents for full-time enrollment is $5,742 per year. If you're a nonresident, you would pay that base rate plus an additional $396 per semester unit (credit hour) or $264 per quarter unit, depending upon the particular university's system.

3. Columbus State University

Based in Columbus, Georgia, Columbus State University is home to a very affordable online Bachelor of Science in sociology degree program.

This program allows you to customize your degree. Optional study areas include topics such as:

  • family, race, class, and gender
  • community development
  • social policy
  • global studies (such as African women and development)
  • social theory

Tuition for online undergraduate CSU courses, regardless of your state residency, is $210 per hour plus fees of about $400 per semester. That would come to about $7100 per year.

4. City University of New York

You can earn an online Bachelor of Arts in sociology through a degree completion program at the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies. Applicants need at least 24 transferrable credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

CUNY SPS has articulation agreements with several two-year colleges that allow students to easily transfer credits. These include the Borough of Manhattan Community College or Kingsborough Community College.

The annual full-time tuition is $6930 ($305 per credit) for New York residents and $10,500 ($350 per credit) for nonresidents.

5. Eastern New Mexico University

At Eastern New Mexico University's main campus in Portales, you can find an online Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree program in sociology.

This program offers courses in three different course formats: asynchronous but with classmates and recorded lectures, synchronous classes (in real time), and completely independent online courses.

Tuition and fees for New Mexico residents come to an affordable $6738 per year, while nonresident students pay $8718 per year.

6. Fayetteville State University

You could earn an online Bachelor of Arts in sociology through this North Carolina university's degree completion program. For admission, you must already have completed the general education curriculum or be dual enrolled with a partnering community college.

Tuition alone at FSU is $500 per semester for in-state students and $2,500 for out-of-state students.

However, additional mandatory fees add up to $1,453.50 per semester, making total tuition plus fees $3907 per year for NC students and $7907 per year for nonresidents. Military scholarships are available,

7. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University's online Bachelor of Science in sociology promises to help you understand groups and organizations, the environment, critical self-reflection, and interpersonal and intercultural skills with a choice of four concentrations:

  • culture and social change
  • criminology
  • medical sociology
  • general sociology

Tuition plus fees, regardless of state residency, total $2,836 for a 15-credit semester or $5672 per year.

8. University of Florida

If you're looking for engaged experiential learning as an online student, the University of Florida's online Bachelor of Arts in sociology offers opportunities to participate in internships, faculty research projects, and independent senior thesis projects.

Total tuition and fees per credit hour are only $129 for Florida residents and $553 for nonresidents. With full-time enrollment, that would add up to $3875 per year for in-state students and $16,578 for out-of-state.

9. University of North Carolina at Pembroke

The UNC campus at Pembroke has an online degree completion program to earn your Bachelor of Arts in sociology if you have completed at least 44 credit hours of general education prior to enrollment.

Beyond the 18-hour core of required sociology courses, a distinctive feature of this program is the ability to apply 15 credits of the sociology electives and 42 credits of the university electives toward a concentration or minor such as

  • community development
  • international sociology
  • medical sociology
  • gender studies
  • substance abuse

Winning the "best buy" for an affordable sociology degree online, UNCP's tuition for in-state students is $500 per semester ($2500 per semester for out-of-state students), with fees of about $50 per semester.

Thus, the estimated annual cost would be about $1100 per year for NC residents and $5100 per year for nonresidents.

10. University of West Georgia

The University of West Georgia is home to an online Bachelor of Science in sociology that emphasizes sociological theory and research methods as well as contemporary social problems.

The total tuition plus fees adds up to a highly affordable $5584 per year ($242 per credit hour).

What Is the Average Cost of an Online Bachelor's Degree in Sociology?

For this list, we included accredited university degree programs that provide you with an entire four-year college education in sociology for less than about $10,000 per year in total tuition.

Many of the schools we feature have an affordable sociology degree online with tuition that comes in well below that mark.

You have an amazing opportunity to attend UNC Pembroke for just $1100 per year as a North Carolina resident, followed by two other universities with annual in-state tuition of about $3900 per year: the University of Florida and Fayetteville State University in North Carolina.

Also, remember that if you already have transfer credits or an associate degree, you may be able to cut the four-year price in half.

How To Finance an Online Sociology Degree

First, find a degree program that seems to meet all your needs and interests. Next, establish a relationship with a financial aid officer at that school to find out what kinds of discounts, scholarships, grants, or loans you might qualify for.

Be sure to complete the federal FAFSA financial aid application form by the deadline, and also look into other sources of assistance such as employee tuition reimbursements or tuition waivers based on your age, military service, residency, or other factors.

Benefits of a Sociology Degree

A bachelor's degree in sociology will prepare you for a career in social services (such as community service, child welfare, substance abuse), corrections, consumer advocacy, labor relations, or any number of careers related to public policy and social justice.

Start Your Sociology Degree Online Today

Reach out to the admissions offices of some of the schools we listed above to get started with an affordable sociology degree online today.

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