Top 10 Free Online Sociology Degrees 2025

Sociology is a field of study that examines society, and a degree in this field can lead to many different jobs. Sociology careers require you to understand people and their roles within their society, which can be learned in a bachelor's degree program. Unfortunately, many students feel a degree is out of reach due to time or cost requirements, but there are other options to consider.

Online degree programs can help students balance school, work, and life. Many schools offer affordable online HR degrees, while some students can obtain a free education with the right combination of financial aid. Keep reading to discover ten free online sociology degree programs.

Free Online Sociology Degree Programs

While there are no online colleges in the U.S. that are completely free, some are tuition free online colleges, which reduce the costs significantly, while several others offer last-dollar scholarships to eligible students. Additionally, many state governments offer free tuition programs for eligible residents. Below, we've highlighted some online sociology degree programs that may be free to some learners.

1. CUNY School of Professional Studies

The CUNY School of Professional Studies is a public university in New York City and a member of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts in sociology that covers topics like:

• ethnicity and ethnography
• research methods
• social inequality
• sociological theory

In-state undergraduate students studying at public New York schools may qualify for the Excelsior Scholarship if their adjusted combined federal household income is $125,000. This is a last-dollar scholarship, meaning it covers any remaining expenses left after other grants and scholarships have been applied, like the Federal Pell Grant.

2. Fayetteville State University

At Fayetteville State University, students can earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Master of Arts in sociology online. Fayetteville State is a public HBCU in Fayetteville, NC.

The BA program covers a range of sociological concepts, including crime and deviance, human behavior, social change, and sociological research. The master's degree focuses on advanced sociological theory.

Fayetteville State participates in the NC Promise, a program that reduces tuition costs to just $500 per semester for in-state students. There are no other eligibility requirements, and students may be able to use other financial aid options to cover that $500.

3. Missouri State University

Missouri State University offers an online bachelor's degree in sociology. The coursework covers social problems, public health, community social structures, and more.

MSU is a public institution in Springfield, MO. It offers multiple financial aid options to help students pay for their programs, including the MOState Access Award, a last-dollar scholarship for Pell Grant-eligible students.

4. New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University is a public research institution in Las Cruces, NM. It offers a BA and an MA in sociology, and the BA offers coursework on various topics, including:

• gender stratification
• social construction
• social movements and their impact on social norms
• theoretical perspectives and frameworks of social issues

Students at NMSU can access many scholarships, but the most exciting is the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship. This is a last-dollar scholarship for New Mexico residents studying at in-state public colleges and universities.

5. Southwest Minnesota State University

Through Southwest Minnesota State University, online students can earn a BA in sociology. SMSU is a public university in Marshall, MN.

The online degree covers sociological perspectives, criminal justice and criminology, social stratification, and social change. Students can gain real-world work experience through internships.

Minnesota residents with an adjusted gross income (AGI) below $80,000 may be eligible for the North Star Promise. This is a last-dollar program that covers tuition costs at public colleges and universities, including SMSU.

6. Texas Woman's University

Texas Woman's University offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Master of Arts in sociology online. The bachelor's degree includes coursework on social interaction, criminal justice and deviance, women in society, the sociology of disasters, and more.

TWU is a public university in Denton, TX; and despite its name, is co-educational. It offers the Zero Tuition Guarantee, a last-dollar scholarship program for students eligible for the Pell Grant.

7. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University is a public institution in Trenton, NJ, primarily geared toward adult students. It offers an online BA in sociology that covers topics such as:

• contemporary sociological theory
• criminal justice
• research methods in social science
• social change

New Jersey residents may qualify for the New Jersey College Promise. This program completely covers tuition costs for students whose family AGI is below $65,000 and offers reduced tuition rates to those whose family AGI is under $100,000.

8. University of Nebraska Omaha

At the University of Nebraska Omaha, students can earn an online bachelor's degree in sociology. UNO is a public research university in Omaha, NE.

The degree offers an optional concentration in health and society. This concentration includes courses on public health, women's health, mental health, substance abuse, and more.

The University of Nebraska System offers the Nebraska Promise, a last-dollar financial aid program. Students must have an AGI under $65,000 and be Nebraska residents studying full-time in an undergraduate program.

9. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers an online BA in sociology. This program offers courses on numerous sociological concepts, including social change, research methods, and societal issues.

UW-Milwaukee is a public research university in Milwaukee. Wisconsin residents with an AGI under $62,000 may qualify for free tuition through the Milwaukee Tuition Promise.

10. Washington State University

Washington State University is a public research institution in Pullman, WA. It offers a BA in sociology online that covers topics such as:

• juvenile delinquency
• social interactions
• social issues
• social norms

Residents of Washington may qualify for the Washington College Grant, which provides need-based aid to students in the state. The amount you qualify for depends on your income and what school you attend; for example, students at WSU could receive up to $11,887 per year, which should cover tuition costs.

FAQs About Free Online Sociology Courses and Degrees

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about online sociology courses and degrees.

What Free Online Sociology Courses Can I Study?

Many places offer free online courses in sociology. Coursera and edX, for example, offer sociology courses from top universities � many of these are self-paced and free to audit.

For example, Coursera offers courses like:

• Classical Sociological Theory from the University of Amsterdam
• Social Norms, Social Change from the University of Pennsylvania
• Social Psychology from Wesleyan University

Meanwhile, edX offers courses such as:

• Global Health Case Studies from a Biosocial Perspective from Harvard University
• Global Social Change from Wellesley College
• Introduction to Sociology from Arizona State University

If you'd like to take the full course and earn a certificate, pricing will vary.

What Are the Benefits of Taking an Online Sociology Course?

Online sociology courses are great if you want to gain a foundation in sociology or want to focus on a particular aspect of sociology or sociological theory. They can also help you develop soft skills in sociology, like critical thinking or research skills.

Is an Online Sociology Degree Worth It?

For many students, an online sociology degree is worthwhile. These degrees allow students a flexible path to complete their higher education and can lead to jobs in fields like:

• criminal justice
• education
• healthcare
• human resources
• human services
• marketing

Explore Online Degrees in Social Sciences Today

Start your path toward a degree in sociology by checking out the online programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools for more information on admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.