What is sociology?
Do the social lives of human beings fascinate you? Are you curious about why people behave the way they do, how communities function or how social systems shape opportunity and inequality? Sociology helps you make sense of the complex forces that influence everyday life and prepares you with the analytical and interpersonal skills today’s employers value.
At Linfield, sociology students explore social structures, institutions, identities and relationships through an engaging curriculum grounded in research, critical thinking and real‑world application.
Curious whether this program is the right fit?
Share a little about yourself through our information request form to connect with an admission counselor and get answers about the sociology program.
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What You Can Expect
EXCEPTIONAL FACULTY
Work with outstanding faculty members who have a broad range of local, regional, and national connections and expertise in areas such as crime and deviance, social policy, education, gender, families, race and ethnicity, environmental justice and community studies.
A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
Build lasting and impactful connections in a department that emphasizes close faculty mentorship, small class sizes, personalized attention and community-building.
Hands‑on, experiential learning
Enhance your studies and deepen your understanding through community service, internships, field trips, collaborative research with faculty, study abroad opportunities and senior thesis projects.
Why study sociology at Linfield?
Linfield's department of sociology and anthropology offers a distinctive and engaging interdisciplinary sociology-anthropology curriculum with breadth across the core and depth in each major. Our program is unique in that it has a joint department but separate majors. While students focus on the field that most interests them, they still get the best of both disciplines and gain a broader perspective and understanding of human behavior. The broad range of skills gained in our programs are directly related to those valued most by employers.
Accolades & Rankings
Linfield consistently ranks among the top institutions for return on investment, delivering strong value through improved socioeconomic mobility and earning potential.
#1 Liberal Arts College in Oregon for Earning Performance
- Washington Monthly
#1 Liberal Arts College in Oregon for Social Mobility
- U.S. News and World Report
#1 Best Value College in Oregon
- Niche
What financial assistance is available?
Financing your college education can feel like a lot to manage, but Linfield University is here to help make the process clearer and more manageable. Linfield’s Financial Aid Office offers personalized guidance from experienced counselors who can help you understand your options, plan ahead, navigate the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) and answer any questions along the way.
You can also plan ahead by estimating your cost of attendance using Linfield’s Cost Calculator.
Scholarships
Linfield University offers a variety of scholarship opportunities to help reduce the cost of college. When you apply for admission, you’ll automatically be considered for many Linfield scholarships. Additional scholarships are available based on academic interests, achievements, life experiences and personal background.
Learn more about available scholarships on Linfield’s Scholarships page.
Sociology Career Outlook
A sociology degree can open doors for your career
Through 2034, employment of sociologists is expected to grow by 4%*. In 2023, the median annual wage for a sociologist was $101,690, exceeding the national average of $49,000. While your income heavily depends on where you live, your level of education and the depth of your experience, enriching your expertise can help support your career growth and financial stability.
You can pursue work in fields such as:
- Social work/social services
- Law/criminal justice
- Counseling/victim’s services
- Education
- Nonprofit work
- Sales and marketing
- Healthcare/public health
Ready to take the next step?
Sociology Admission
Begin your journey to studying at Linfield University. Start your application.
Questions about the program?
Reach out to the department chair and they will be happy to answer your questions.