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What can you do with a Sociology degree from University of California, Los Angeles?

First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from University of California, Los Angeles 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 48 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 57%, Sociology graduates from University of California, Los Angeles have a lower likelihood (-10%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 57%
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, 35% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), which is right in line with the average across all fields.

See the details:

View a random Sociology graduate from University of California, Los Angeles and our analysis:

Relevance score: 50%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Occupational Therapist
Adventist Health
Oct 2016 - May 2023
As an Occupational Therapist, the individual may apply some sociological principles in understanding patient contexts and social factors affecting health, but the core qualifications of occupational therapy primarily rely on medical knowledge and therapeutic techniques rather than a sociology degree.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master's degree
University of Southern California
2014 - 2016
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Sociology degree from University of California, Los Angeles?

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

Looking through the job experiences of Sociology graduates from UCLA, it’s clear that many have gravitated towards roles in education, social work, and therapy. Positions like substitute teachers and student teachers are quite common and align relatively well with their sociology backgrounds, especially since these roles require an understanding of social dynamics, classroom behavior, and educational equity. Other jobs in social work or counseling—like therapists, social worker interns, and case managers—demonstrate a strong connection to sociology, emphasizing skills learned in understanding social systems and individual behavior. However, there are also quite a few roles that don’t really tap into the sociology knowledge these graduates gained, like administrative and technical positions, which focus more on logistics or customer service than on social concepts.

Overall, while some jobs directly apply and enhance the skills from a sociology degree—especially in educational and therapeutic settings—many graduates also find themselves in positions that are somewhat unrelated or only tangentially related to sociology. It’s a mixed bag; some have managed to carve out careers that resonate with their academic training, while others have ventured into areas that might not fully utilize their sociological expertise. So, if you’re considering studying sociology, keep in mind that while it can definitely open doors in specific fields, there’s a good chance you’ll end up in various roles that vary in relevance to your degree.”

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 University of California, Los Angeles):

What kind of career trajectories do Sociology graduates from University of California, Los Angeles have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the Sociology program at UCLA have a pretty diverse range of career paths. Right after graduation, many tend to start off in education-related roles, such as teaching or support positions in schools. For instance, we see several graduates beginning as substitute teachers or teacher interns, which makes sense since Sociology often sparks an interest in social systems, education, and community impact. Others jump into roles related to healthcare and mental health, like occupational therapists or social workers. This suggests that many graduates are eager to apply their understanding of societal structures and individual behaviors in ways that directly benefit others.

As we look five to ten years down the line, the career trajectories appear to solidify a bit more, with many graduates advancing in the fields of education, mental health, and social work. For example, those who started as therapists or social work interns often progress to more senior positions, like licensed clinical social workers or program directors in relevant organizations. However, there’s also a notable number of graduates who move into less directly related fields, including administrative assistant roles or corporate positions, which might not leverage their Sociology background as effectively. Overall, while many UCLA Sociology grads find meaningful work that aligns with their studies, there is also a sizeable group that diverges into various industries, which might indicate that not all opportunities fit neatly within the sociology framework.

How hard is a Sociology degree from University of California, Los Angeles?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at UCLA can be challenging, but it also depends on what you're passionate about and how hard you're willing to work. Sociology dives deep into understanding society, culture, and human behavior, so expect readings, research projects, and discussions that can sometimes feel overwhelming. That said, a lot of students find it engaging because you’re often connecting real-world issues to what you learn in class, which makes it feel relevant. In general, it’s not considered one of the toughest degrees compared to fields like engineering or hard sciences, but you definitely need to stay on top of your readings and be prepared to think critically about complex societal issues. If you enjoy thinking about how the world works and are ready to put in the effort, you should find it manageable and rewarding!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.

Do Sociology graduates from University of California, Los Angeles tend to make good money?

So, looking at the careers of these UCLA Sociology grads, it seems like there’s a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some graduates, particularly in fields like education and social work, likely started off on the lower end of the pay scale, especially with roles like substitute teachers and interns, which typically don’t pay much. However, others, like those going into tech or management consulting, seem to have found solid opportunities that probably come with a better paycheck. Overall, it appears that while some have been on a trajectory that may lead to decent earnings, especially with roles like therapy or consulting, others might still be hustling through entry-level positions that don’t pay as well. So, in a nutshell, the money vibes are pretty variable!

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 University of California, Los Angeles). 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