What can you do with a Sociology degree from San Francisco State University?

First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from San Francisco State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 68%, Sociology graduates from San Francisco State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 68%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 50% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Sociology graduate.

See the details:

View a random Sociology graduate from San Francisco State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 88%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2015 from San Francisco State University with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Peer Intern
The LGBTQ Youth Space
Sep 2015 - Jun 2016
Working as a Peer Intern at The LGBTQ Youth Space directly relates to sociology as it applies insights into social behavior and issues within LGBTQ communities, making it highly relevant.

Behavior Therapist
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, LLC. (CARD)
Oct 2017 - Apr 2021
As a Behavior Therapist at The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, the role heavily utilizes understanding of social dynamics and behavior, core elements of a sociology degree.

Behavioral Therapist
Los Altos School District
May 2021 - Nov 2022
The position of Behavioral Therapist at Los Altos School District involves applying sociological principles and understanding social interactions to help students, thus being directly relevant to the degree.

Program Supervisor
Maxim Healthcare Services (Home Care)
Dec 2022 - Present
While the Program Supervisor at Maxim Healthcare Services may involve managing teams and understanding client needs, the core qualifications of this role are more aligned with healthcare management rather than sociology.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis)
Arizona State University
2021 - 2022
ABOUT

4+ years of experience providing ABA therapy to a multitude of clients and students. Experience in data entry, excel, word, customer service, and behavioral skills training.

What jobs can you get with a Sociology degree from San Francisco State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When analyzing the job trajectories of folks who studied Sociology at San Francisco State University, it looks like a mix of fields and roles emerged, with many either directly or indirectly related to their degree. A lot of graduates ended up in fields like social services, healthcare, and education, where skills from their sociology background are put to good use. For example, positions such as School Counseling Interns, Mental Health Practitioners, and Crisis Intervention Counselors show a solid application of sociological principles, focusing on community needs and social dynamics.

However, there's also a noticeable trend toward jobs where sociology isn't the primary focus. Many graduates took on roles in operations management, administration, or customer service, which don’t necessarily leverage the sociological knowledge they gained. These positions—like general managers in the hospitality industry or roles involving legal assistance—sometimes tap into skills like teamwork or understanding client needs, but they don't dive deep into the core sociology concepts. Overall, while some paths taken by sociology graduates reflect a strong connection to their academic training, many move into roles that simply utilize a broader set of skills not specific to the discipline.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Sociology graduates (this is across all Sociology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to San Francisco State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Sociology graduates from San Francisco State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

From looking at these LinkedIn profiles of Sociology graduates from San Francisco State University, it seems like many of them have started their careers in fields relevant to their degree, especially in social services, counseling, and healthcare roles. Right after graduation, many took entry-level positions that closely align with the principles of sociology, like medical receptionists, youth mentors, and roles in community health. These types of jobs often emphasize skills in communication, empathy, and an understanding of diverse populations—qualities that are central to studying sociology.

Fast forward five to ten years, and while some have shifted careers or taken on roles that might seem far removed from sociology (like working in legal services or as a realtor), a significant number have maintained a solid connection to social work and mental health. Several have advanced into higher-level positions in these sectors, such as licensed clinical social workers and program supervisors. So, overall, it's a mixed bag; while some have ventured beyond typical sociology paths, many continue to thrive in careers that utilize the skills and knowledge they gained during their studies, contributing positively to communities and advocating for social change.

How hard is a Sociology degree from San Francisco State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at San Francisco State University—or really anywhere—can be a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. On one hand, the coursework isn’t typically super intense like some science or engineering majors; you’ll dig into interesting stuff about society, cultures, and social behaviors, which can be pretty engaging. Classes often involve discussions, group work, and writing papers, so if you enjoy that kind of learning, it can feel pretty manageable. However, if essays and theory aren’t your strong suits, it might feel a bit challenging at times. Overall, it’s generally considered to be on the easier side compared to more demanding majors, but it still requires commitment and effort like any degree. So, if you're passionate about the subject, you’ll likely find it rewarding without it being too overwhelming!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.

Do Sociology graduates from San Francisco State University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job trajectories of these Sociology grads from San Francisco State University, it seems like their earnings might be a mixed bag. Some have steadily climbed the ladder into roles like Licensed Vocational Nurse or Legal and Compliance Manager, which usually pay decent salaries, particularly in places like California. Others, like those in social or community services, might earn less, especially starting out with positions like Medical Receptionist or Crisis Counselor, which often offer lower pay. Overall, while some have likely landed solid-paying jobs, others may be struggling a bit more financially, as many of these roles are in nonprofit or entry-level positions where pay can be lower. So, it really depends on the path they chose!

What buzzwords do Sociology graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Sociology (this is across all Sociology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to San Francisco State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Sociology?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Sociology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Sociology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Hunter College 79 12
California State University, Long Beach 76 25
Boston College 76 12
California State University-San Bernardino 75 25
Grand Canyon University 74 17
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 72 12
Montclair State University 71 10
DePaul University 70 11
University of California, Davis 69 14
Illinois State University 69 17
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 69 15
California State University San Marcos 69 16
San Francisco State University 68 16
University of North Florida 68 11
Stony Brook University 68 12
California State University, Fullerton 67 22
University of California, Riverside 67 53
University of West Georgia 67 13
Brigham Young University 65 19
San Diego State University 65 12
University of California, Santa Cruz 65 23
University of Maryland College Park 65 14
University of Central Florida 64 22
University of Wisconsin-Madison 64 13
California State University, Northridge 64 24
UC Irvine 64 15
Colorado College 64 11
University of Colorado Boulder 63 17
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 63 16
University of Virginia 63 16
California State University-Northridge 63 16
City University of New York-Herbert H. Lehman College 63 12
California State University - East Bay 62 17
Norfolk State University 62 10
California State University-Los Angeles 61 12
Texas A&M University 60 37
University of California, Berkeley 60 33
Louisiana State University 60 14
The University of Texas at San Antonio 60 12
The University of Texas at Austin 59 23
University of California, Santa Barbara 58 23
California State University-Dominguez Hills 58 21
University of Florida 57 24
Florida International University 57 10
University of California, Los Angeles 57 48
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 57 10
Sonoma State University 57 16
University of Michigan 56 11
California State University-Sacramento 55 37
North Carolina State University 54 10
California State University-Long Beach 54 14
California State University, Chico 54 13
University of Arizona 53 15
University of Utah 53 14
University of Massachusetts Amherst 53 14
Queens College 53 22
University at Albany, SUNY 53 23
The Ohio State University 52 13
San Jose State University 52 23
Texas Tech University 52 10
Kennesaw State University 52 15
Florida State University 51 22
Georgia State University 51 30
Arizona State University 50 29
University of North Texas 50 22
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 50 11
California State University, Los Angeles 50 17
Indiana University Bloomington 49 11
Florida Atlantic University 49 19
University of Oregon 49 22
Brigham Young University - Idaho 48 11
James Madison University 47 11
University of Oklahoma 47 12
Western Washington University 46 16
UC Santa Barbara 46 40
Christopher Newport University 46 11
University of Washington 45 30
UCLA 43 11
Towson University 42 16
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 42 14
Ashford University 41 20
The University of Georgia 39 10