Top 25 Sociology Graduate Programs

Top 25 Sociology Graduate Programs
US News and World Report 2013 Rankings
*Funding Structure:
Statements about funding opportunities are pulled directly from program websites. While most programs say that they offer funding for all admitted students, it is important to clarify what they mean by
this. Programs generally offer some combination of teaching stipends, research stipends, and/or tuition reductions/waivers to admitted students. However, not all students receive all of these resources,
and not all students are supported for the same amount of time. It is important to clarify funding opportunities with each individual department, speak with current students about the reality of the
funding situation, and always be seeking additional sources of funding during and after the admission process.
**Admission Rates:
While some programs publish admission rates, many do not. This is because most programs strive for a consistent entering cohort size. Thus, the admission rate will vary from year-to-year based on the
number of applicants.
***PhD Completion Rate:
Information in this column is varied. Some programs were able to share the percentage of incoming students who complete a PhD within ten years (i.e. the number who do not drop out). Some programs
did not have this information, but instead provided the average number of years it takes for most students to complete the PhD. Some programs did not provide either statistic.
****GPA and GRE scores:
While some programs publish this information, many do not. This is because graduate school admission committees look at each applicant’s file holistically, rather than simply relying on GPA or test
score “cutoffs,” as some undergraduate or masters programs might. Application committees consider the applicant’s entire life history, work experience, writing, personal statement, letters of
recommendation, and research interests to assess whether or not that applicant would be a good fit for the program. While most programs like to see a GPA of at least 3.0, the individual GPA and GRE
scores of admitted students may vary significantly. Thus, many programs feel that publishing such information would actually be counterproductive, as some qualified students may rule themselves out
due to not meeting the “cutoff,” and other students may think they have an “in” based on their test scores, but might actually not be a good fit for the program. Indeed, it is recommended that
applicants focus more on specific programmatic fit (intellectual community, research clusters, faculty research, etc.) to make their application decisions, rather than relying on GPA or GRE benchmarks.
Rank
1
Funding Statement*
Admission
Rate**
Entering
Cohort Size
“Graduate students ordinarily receive
fellowships (full tuition and a stipend) that are
renewed to cover the first five years of
enrollment (contingent upon satisfactory
progress through the program). Unlike most
graduate programs, these fellowships do not
require students to work as research assistant.
When students do work as research assistants,
as most will do at some point during the
program, the money they earn is over and
above the fellowship amount.”
Varies.
2013/14: 15
Score
School Name
Princeton
University
Princeton, NJ
(609) 258-4543
4.7
Rate of PhD
completion
within 10
years***
Not published,
but 5 PhDs were
awarded in 2011.
Average GPA****
Average GRE Score****
Not published.
Not published.
CC
Representation
(former or
current)
1
University of
CaliforniaBerkeley
Berkeley, CA
(510) 642-4766
4.7
Through departmental grants and university9%
level fellowships, the Department makes every
effort to create an attractive funding package
for every accepted student. In the last number
of years most all the entering students have
received 5 year funding packages comprised of
a mix of university and departmental
fellowships as well as academic teaching or
research work.
“The Department guarantees five continuous Most recent:
years of funding to all students, starting in the
14.6%
fall of 2011. Sources of funding will vary, and
10-year
include, but are not limited to: project
average:
assistantships,
teaching
assistantships,
30%
research appointments, traineeships and
fellowships. The department nominates a
number of students with the most promising
academic records for University fellowships.”
2013/14: 15.
10-year
average: 16
1
University of
WisconsinMadison
Madison, WI
608.262.2921
4.7
4
Stanford
University
Stanford, CA
(650)724-2437
4.6
“The department currently provides students
with funding for the first five academic years,
including the first three summers.”
2013/14: 12
4
University of
Michigan-Ann
Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 764-6324
4.6
“All students admitted to the Sociology Ph.D. Last year:
Program are provided with five-year funding
270
packages. Typically, these funding packages applications
consist of a combination of fellowships and
were
graduate student instructorships from a
received,
variety of resources including the Sociology and offers
Department and the Rackham Graduate were made
School, and through traineeships from the to 30 (11%
Varies.
2012/13: 15
3-year
average: 8
Shoot for
about 12 for
entering
cohort
About 90%
3.82
165 verbal
157 quantitative
5.0 writing
10-Year Average: “The Graduate School “We consider a GRE score
47%
has set a GPA minimum below the 50th percentile
of 3.0. The Graduate
to be weak and a GRE
Program of the
above the 75th percentile
Department of
to be good.”
Sociology and the
Department of
Community and
Environmental
Sociology has no strict
cutoffs. Typically, the
student we admit has
an undergraduate GPA
of at least 3.3. We
prefer to see a GPA of
3.6 and above.”
Not published.
“There is not a
“There is not a minimum
minimum score
score required for
required for evaluation
evaluation of your
of your application by
application by the
the committee. Scores
committee. Scores are
are reviewed in the
reviewed in the context of
context of the
the applicant's entire file.”
applicant's entire file.”
“100 percent of
“Applicants who have
“average verbal and
students who
been admitted have
quantitative Graduate
entered the
undergraduate grade
Record Examination
doctoral program point averages in social
percentile scores have
between 2000
sciences courses of at
been above the 80th
and 2004
least 3.0 on a 4.0
percentile, although there
completed the
system, with the mean
is considerable variation
PhD as of August
around 3.5. In recent
around this value”
Rachel A.
Wright
(formerly
Rachel
Lindenberg)
Drew Foster
Population Studies Center (for those acceptance)
interested in demography), all of which
include a full tuition waiver and health care
benefits.”
6
6
6
Harvard
University
Cambridge, MA
(617) 495-3812
4.5
University of
Chicago
Chicago, IL
(773) 702-8677
4.5
University of
North CarolinaChapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
(919) 962-1007
4.5
“For PhD students, Harvard awards full
financial support for five years, typically for
the first four years of study as well as the
completion year. Ordinarily, in cases where
the length of PhD study extends beyond five
years, students secure financial support
through various Harvard and non-Harvard
opportunities, including research fellowships,
research
assistantships,
and
teaching
fellowships.”
3%
“New Funding structure started in 2007:
Cut the size of the entering cohorts to make
fewer, better funded offers.
Full-tuition plus basic health insurance for
five years. Unless they have funding from an
outside source.
This was a change from 4-years. Now it is 5
years
Two levels
1) Tuition plus health insurance for 5 years
plus a stipend starting in the third year of
$22,000 in support.
2) Higher level awards the $22,000 starting in
first year (rather than third year)”
“Our department provides funding to its
students in the form of tuition remission for
the first 5 years. In addition, we have been
able to consistently provide funding through
Teaching Assistantships and Research
Assistantships for the first 4 years, contingent
Varies.
“In recent
years we
have
averaged
almost 200
applicants
31, 2012.
Average rate of
PhD completion
is 7.5 years.”
“Changes
“90%. But
every year,
probably closer
based on
to 100%. One of
funding.
the lowest dropThere is a
out rates. Also
Sociology
One of the
Proper
highest
program plus 3 placement rates.”
joint programs.
Between all 4,
Time to
cohort tends to completion: 7-8
be 12-15
years
students.
Just sociology:
11 offers for 8
students.”
About 14.
Stated duration
of program: 7-8
years, but some
have finished in
six.
About 12
Not published.
years”
3.5 and above
“Top percentiles are
preferred.
Quant is more important
than qual.”
3.7
Five-Year Average:
Verbal: 92%-93%
Quantitative: 77%
Analytical: 78%
3.7
“The average GRE scores
for admitted students in
recent years were 90th
percentile in Verbal and
75th percentile in
Quantitative.”
Kathy Giuffre
on satisfactory performance in the per year and
department.
accepted
The result is that almost every student who approximate
completes the doctorate in a timely fashion is
ly 15
funded throughout their entire graduate percent of
career.”
them.”
“UCLA has various funding opportunities
19%
and almost all admitted PhD sociology
students obtain competitive funding packages
depending on their merit and progress in the
program.”
9
University of
California-Los
Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 825-1313
4.4
10
Northwestern
University
Evanston, IL
847-491-5415
University of
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 898-7665
4.3
“The Graduate School offers full tuition and a
stipend to all students accepted to the PhD
program for five years of study.”
4.3
“Five year funding package: includes tuition,
stipend, and healthcare for all admitted
students. (Some students were admitted but
awaiting funding.)
2nd and 3rd year students are required to TA for
four semesters.”
12
Columbia
University
New York, NY
(212) 854-2973
4.2
12
Indiana
UniversityBloomington
Bloomington, IN
(812) 855-2924
4.2
10
“The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
(GSAS)
typically
provides
multi-year
fellowships to all incoming Sociology Ph.D.
students who request funding.”
About 15
56%
Not published.
"B" average in all upper
division and graduate level
work
Five-year
average:
12%
Five-year
average: 11
Not published.
3.8
Varies.
Not published.
Not published.
Carla Medalia
Varies.
2013/14: 6
2012/13: 12
2011/12: 8
2010/11: 8
2009/10: 7
“Pretty much
100% of students
complete within
ten years.”
6 PhDs were
awarded in in
2013/14;
11 in 2012/13;
8 in 2011/12
Not published,
but 5 PhDs were
awarded in 2012;
8 were awarded
in 2011.
Old Scoring Average:
Verbal 680;
Quantitative 720; and
Analytical 5.0
Not published.
Not published.
Not published.
Mary Patrick
GPA of 3.3 or better
Jaime
Kucinskas,
Evelyn Perry
“We offer five-year financial packages to all “In recent
admitted students. Funding comes in the form years, about
of graduate assistantships or associate
150
instructor positions which provide a stipend, applicants
health insurance, and a tuition remission.”
have
competed
for 10 to 12
openings in
the first-year
cohort.”
2013/14: “10
plus 3
exchange
students”
Not published,
Satisfactory: “GRE
but 10 PhDs were scores are above the
awarded in 2012; 70th percentile in each
5 were awarded
of the three
in 2011.
categories—verbal,
quantitative, and
analytical writing.”
Eric Popkin
14
Duke University
Durham, NC
(919) 660-5614
4.1
14
University of
Texas-Austin
Austin, TX
(512) 232-6300
4.1
16
New York
University
New York, NY
(212) 998-8340
4.0
“Financial aid is awarded to most graduate
students for five years of study and sometimes
longer. First year awards are given
competitively to the strongest entering
graduate students judged on prior academic
records. Additional summer employment is
often available. From the second through the
fifth year, tuition and registration fee
scholarships will continue for students doing
satisfactory work. Usually stipends for
advanced students are in the form of teaching
assistantships or research assistantships on
faculty-directed research projects. Other
support is available through University
fellowships.”
Through Assistant Instructor, Teaching
Assistant,
and
Research
Assistant
appointments, as well as a myriad of
university,
government,
and
private
fellowships, we are typically successful in
funding 100% of our graduate students during
the academic year.
“All students admitted into the Ph.D. program
are offered full funding from NYU.
The NYU Department of Sociology only
accepts students whom we can fully fund for a
minimum of five years. The funding generally
covers full tuition, fees, student health
insurance plus a fellowship stipend. In
addition, students have the opportunity to
teach. Teaching is separate from the funding
package, and any teaching compensation is
above and beyond the fellowship support.”
10%-24%
admission
rate since
2002. 201213 admitted
27 out of
149
applicants,
or 18%
Not published.
7 PhDs were
awarded in 2012;
The range has
been from 3-11
PhDs
awarded/year
since 2002.
Roughly 15% “15-20 (closer
admission to 15)”
rate
“Between 6.2 and
6.6 people
graduate with a
PhD within ten
years.”
“We
“Usually shoot
typically
for an entering
receive
cohort of
approximate approximately
ly 400
8-10 students.”
applications.
The amount
of students
admitted
every year
varies, but,
typically, we
offer
admission to
about 15-20
students”
“Higher than
90%”
2012-13 scores:
Upper-grade GPA: 3.6 –
3.7
Verbal:162
Quantitative: 154
Old Scores:
Verbal: 584
Quantitative: 647
Upper-grade GPA: 3.68
“We do not keep track “We do not keep track of
of the average GPA or
the average GPA or GRE
GRE score of admitted
score of admitted
students. GPAs and
students. GPAs and GREs
GREs are one of several are one of several factors
factors we consider
we consider when making
when making
admission decisions. We
admission decisions.
also consider research
We also consider
experiences, statement of
research experiences, research interests, fit with
statement of research the graduate program, and
interests, fit with the
other factors.”
graduate program, and
other factors.”
Toni Pizza
17
Cornell
University
Ithaca, NY
(607) 255-0024
3.9
17
Ohio State
University
Columbus, OH
(614) 292-6681
3.9
17
Pennsylvania
State UniversityUniversity Park
University Park,
PA
(814) 865-2527
3.9
20
University of
Arizona
Tucson, AZ
(520) 621-3531
3.8
“Cornell funding packages typically offer five
years of support, covering all tuition and
providing a stipend for living expenses
(including during the summer). In recent years,
the field has been able to support students
beyond their fifth year, usually through grantfunded graduate research assistantships.
Any admitted student is offered a 5-year
deal.”
“All graduate students admitted to the
Department will be considered for
departmental support as Graduate Teaching
Associates (GTAs), Graduate Administrative
Associates (GAAs), or Graduate Research
Associates (GRAs) for the “normal progress”
period needed to complete their degrees.
Most of our students work as GTAs. These
associateships provide valuable teaching,
research and academic experiences as well as
financial support.
“Usually
have
between
160-200
applicants,
and make
about 20
offers”
“Generally
about 5-7”
“Pretty much all
of them finish
within 7 years”
“GRE is more
important than GPA”
“GRE is more important
than GPA”
Not
published.
2013/14
cohort: 11
Not published,
but 3 PhDs were
awarded in 2012;
3 were awarded
in 2011.
Not published.
3.6 or better
“All students admitted to the program receive
“The
research
assistantships
or
teaching department
assistantships. This funding package includes a will admit
stipend and a tuition waiver. We also have a
about 25
strong record of providing summer support.
students
Students entering with a BA receive funding each year to
for five, and with an MA it is four years
its graduate
Everyone who applies is considered for programs.
funding. Everyone who enrolls is on some sort About 175
of funding. Because we only admit the number
students
of students we are able to fund.”
apply.”
“Hovers
around 10”
“Probably 90%
complete”
“The vast majority of
students admitted to
the program score
above 310 on the GRE
(verbal and
quantitative
combined).”
“Most students admitted
to the program have GPAs
above 3.7.”
Lauren Hughes
“The vast majority of full-time students in the
school receive some form of financial
support.”
2011/12
cohort: 10
Not published.
“No minimum score is
required for admission.
However, students
with scores below the
50th percentile must
offer especially strong
supporting materials to
be competitive.”
“Students must have a
minimum of 3.0 to be
considered. Students with
averages near the bottom
of the acceptable range
must offer especially
strong supporting
materials.”
Wade Roberts
Not
published.
20
University of
3.8
Minnesota-Twin
Cities
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 624-4300
“The department seeks to provide funding to
all of its students in good standing throughout
the length of their residency. This funding
typically comes in the form of teaching or
research assistantships of 50% which provides
free tuition, subsided health insurance, and a
stipend of approximately $14,000 over nine
months.”
On average, successful
applicants to the
program have Verbal
scores of 162,
Quantitative scores of
155, and Analytical
scores of 5.0 (new
scoring).
20
University of
Washington
Seattle, WA
(206) 543-5882
3.8
20
Yale University
New Haven, CT
(203) 432-3313
3.8
“All applicants who are offered admission to Admission
“Entering
Not published,
Old Scoring:
the department are considered for funding, rate since
cohort has
but 7 PhDs were
“In recent years the
and historically we have been able to fund our 2003-04 has ranged from 9- awarded in 2012 average verbal score of
students through most — if not all — of their ranged from 18. In 2012-13,
applicants admitted
time in graduate school. Most of our funding
11.1%
there were 10
into our program was
packages are modest multi-year packages that (2012-13) to in the entering
in the low 600s, and
cover tuition and health insurance, and
32.7%
cohort.”
the average
include a job working as a Teaching Assistant (2004-05)
quantitative score of
for our undergraduate courses. Many of our
admitted applicants
graduate students apply for and receive
was closer to 700”
research or fellowship monies that allow them
to focus more directly on their coursework or
research.
Departmental
funding
for
continuing graduate students is contingent on
continued good progress through the program
and the state’s budget situation.”
“All accepted students are fully funded for five
4%
“Between six 75% are awarded
Not published.
years. In the first four years they receive full
and ten new
a PhD within 10
tuition and a living stipend and in the fifth or
students are
years. Average
sixth year students are eligible for the
admitted each
time to
dissertation write-up fellowship. In the third
year.”
completion: 7.3
and fourth years students are required to
years.
serve as teaching fellows to receive their
stipend. In 2008–2009, the 12-month stipend
is $25,000.”
The undergraduate grade
point average (GPA) of
recent top applicants has
been 3.6 on a 4.0 scale.
Graduate applicants
typically have GPA's of 3.9
on a 4.0 scale. If your GPA
is not of this quality it will
behoove you to address
this deficiency in your
Statement of Professional
Objectives.
10-year average:
Ranged from 3.64-3.72
Most recent: 3.69
Not published.
Deb Smith
Sarah
Diefendorf
Sandi Wong
24
University of
3.7
MarylandCollege Park
College Park, MD
(301) 405-6392
25
Brown
University
Providence, RI
(401) 863-2367
3.6
Most graduate students are supported
“We
financially by sources connected with the
typically
department. Nearly all research and teaching receive over
assistantships, as well as university
220
fellowships, include tuition waivers and applications
benefits. Stipends for graduate assistantships
for 10-12
and fellowships range from $14,500 to spots in our
$16,000. Very competitive students who
incoming
receive fellowships through the graduate
class.”
school or through the department are also
offered one-half of a graduate assistantship
for a total stipend ranging from $21,750 to
$22,125.”
“The graduate school currently provides five “Last year
years of funding to students in good standing.
we were
The course of study for the sociology PhD is
able to
designed to be completed in five years and admit less
students are encouraged to do so. We than 10% of
recognize that in certain cases, especially applicants”
when involving primary data collection, the
course of study may extend into a sixth and
seventh year. Students who need to extend
the course of study beyond five years must
remain in good standing and will be expected
to secure external funding.”
Not published.
2013/14
cohort: 11
Not published, “Most of the applicants “The graduate school also Kathleen Denny
but 7 PhDs were
who are admitted to
requires that a student
awarded in 2012; our program typically
have at least a 3.0
4 were awarded
have a combined
undergraduate GPA in
in 2011.
verbal and quantitative
order to be admitted
score of above a 315 without provision to any of
on the new test.”
the University of
Maryland's graduate
programs.”
Not published,
but 7 PhDs were
awarded in 2012;
5 were awarded
in 2011.
“Many of our admitted
applicants have GRE
scores in the top
deciles.”
Not published.

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