Why Choose Russell Sage’s Sociology Bachelor’s Program

A bachelor’s in Sociology will prepare you for rewarding and meaningful work that makes the world a better place. Sociology students at Russell Sage College have the following opportunities:

Choose a pathway in:

  • Crime and Justice
  • Public Health 
  • General Sociology.

Qualify for assured acceptance or early admittance to graduate programs, including:

Sage’s Doris Adams Ferguson ’53 Memorial Fund for Sociology supports travel and other expenses related to research, internships, or field study.

You’ll have a wealth of resources to support your overall well-being, including 

BEST Colleges U.S. News & World Report - Top College for Social Mobility 2026

Top 25

For seven consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Russell Sage among the top 25 national universities for social mobility — proof that our students see real returns. Learn more about financial aid at Sage.

BEST Colleges U.S. News & World Report - Top College for Best Value 2026

Best Value

With first-year merit scholarships of $21,000 to $26,000 and one of the lowest private college tuition rates in New York State, Russell Sage ranks #36 nationally for Best Value (U.S. News & World Report 2026).

“Sociology majors are interested in social change, activism and social justice issues — and they bring that to the classroom.”

Michelle Napierski-Prancl
Ph.D., Professor of Sociology

Is Sage’s Sociology Program Right for You?

See how Sage’s Sociology degree program blends real-world experience, community connection, and campus life to help you build confidence and make a difference.

Learn Through Real-World Experiences

All sociology majors conduct original research. Recent projects have explored how the court system can better serve individuals with developmental disabilities, and the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated women as they reenter the community. Students have been published regularly present at national and regional conferences. Sociology majors also build their resumes and professional networks at an internship aligned with their career goals. Students have recently interned with the Rensselaer County Re-Entry Task Force, Warren Washington Albany ARC, and Hudson Valley House of Hope.

Connect with the Community

Russell Sage students really connect with the college’s “Be. Know. Do.” motto, and use their education to address community needs and inspire social change. This could happen in a class with a service-learning component, at an on-campus center like the Denise Taber Finard ’80 Women’s Institute, or by connecting with the many individuals and organizations working to build a vibrant community in New York’s Capital Region.

Enjoy Campus Life and City Living

When you want a break from the books, Sage has more than 30 clubs and intramural teams, Division III athletics, a professional theatre company, an art gallery, and fun activities every day. Both campuses are in walkable, diverse neighborhoods, with a lot to do. A free shuttle travels between the campuses every 20 minutes. 

View Program Catalog for Course Requirements

Affordability, Admissions, and Transferring

Affording a Sociology Degree

We understand that cost and value are top concerns when choosing a college. That’s why we work with every student as an individual in the admission process — whether they’re a transfer student or a student coming straight out of high school.

What to Know:

  • Russell Sage prioritizes college access and affordability. We have been included on U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges for Social Mobility list for seven consecutive years.
  • 100% of incoming, full-time undergraduates at Russell Sage receive financial aid.
  • Transfer merit scholarships are generous compared to other colleges – starting at $20,000 to $22,000 a year.
  • In many cases, Russell Sage is more affordable than SUNY or other private schools.
  • We want to make every transfer students’ credits count, just one of the reasons we’ve been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll for seven straight years.

Don’t forget! You have to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid — or FAFSA — to receive a complete financial aid package from any college. 

Apply to Russell Sage’s Sociology Program

Full application details and next steps are available through the Admissions Office.

Start Your Application

Transfer to Russell Sage’s Sociology Program

Russell Sage welcomes transfer students and provides a supportive and straightforward transfer process. Sociology students may also transfer through established articulation agreements with select colleges.

Explore Transfer Experience

What Can I Do with a Sociology Degree?

Check Out Our Student and Alumni Success Stories

Explore Careers with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology

A sociology degree emphasizes writing, research, and presentation skills and is great preparation for a variety of positions in law, including paralegal, legal assistant, discovery specialist, and attorney. 

If you are considering law school, Russell Sage offers a minor in Pre-Law Studies and accelerated 3+3 bachelor’s degree/juris doctorate programs with Albany Law School and Suffolk University Law School, which enables qualified students to earn a bachelor’s and law degree in six years instead of seven.

A sociology degree prepares you to understand people, communities, and systems, and is great preparation for case management, community outreach, or other roles that involve building connections and creating positive change. It also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in fields like social work.

Occupational therapists help people who are recovering from an illness or an injury to return to activities that are important to them. While a graduate degree is required, Russell Sage’s sociology curriculum can satisfy the prerequisites for Sage’s OT graduate programs, and qualified students can apply for an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program.

Sociology helps you understand how policies impact people and communities, making it strong preparation for a career in public service. You’ll gain skills in data analysis, communication, and problem-solving that are essential for government, advocacy, and nonprofit work.

Frequently Asked Questions — Sociology Bachelor’s Degree

Yes, Russell Sage’s B.A. in sociology program accepts transfer students. Also good to know: Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, has named Russell Sage to its Transfer Honor Roll for four-year colleges that provide an exceptionally smooth transfer experience, for six years in a row!

As a sociology major, you’ll take core courses in theory and research methods and additional courses in a pathway you select: General Sociology, Crime and Justice or Public Health. You will also develop your own research project and build your resume and network at an internship aligned with your goals.

Yes! Russell Sage College graduates with a bachelor’s in sociology have been accepted to law school, and master’s programs in a variety of subjects including social work, community psychology, occupational therapy, criminal justice, and more. 

A bachelor’s in sociology will prepare you for rewarding and meaningful work that makes the world a better place. Sociology graduates become attorneys, social workers, even public health and health science professionals. Others work in the criminal justice field, education, government, or in research.

Have Questions about a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology?

Michelle Napierski-Prancl
Michelle Napierski-Prancl, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology, Program Director of Sociology
Ali Schaeffing
Ali Schaeffing
Associate Professor of Geography & Director of Service Learning and Community Engagement
schaea@sage.edu
Jae Kyun Kim
Jae Kyun Kim
Assistant Professor of Sociology
jae.kim@sage.edu

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