Sociology Career Scope: Jobs, Trends, Placements, Salary 2024, Top Recruiters

Updated on May 30, 2024 09:57 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtSenior Executive

Sociology is the comprehensive study of social actions which ascertains their causes and consequences. After pursuing a BA in Sociology candidates can pursue an MA in Sociology, B.Ed, MBA or PhD. It is advisable to opt for further studies based on the career prospects after pursuing the course. There are ample career opportunities for sociology graduates in academia, corporations and NGOs. A Sociology career offers various options with job profiles such as Learning and Development Specialist, Community Development Executive, Market Research Analyst, School Counsellor and Human Resource ExecutiveMany private firms provide excellent job opportunities to Sociology graduates: Reliance Digital, Sun TV Network, Space Times and Ganga Social Foundation, to name a few. 

They can become Civil Servants, PCS Officers, RBI Grade B Officers, Assistant Section Officers and Indian Forest Service Officers to work for the Government of India and serve the larger society. They can also become teachers to teach Social Sciences for junior classes and Sociology for Senior classes. The starting salary of a Sociology Post Graduate Teacher is INR 4.7 LPA. Apart from careers involving Sociology, they can pursue professions in Journalism, Content Writing and Social Work.

Top Career Profiles in Sociology

Sociology helps candidates improve research practices and form suitable programmes and policy frameworks. There are several professions where this knowledge of Sociology can be applied.

Given below are the top job profiles that can be pursued by Sociology graduates:

Sociology Jobs

Average Salary (in INR)

Learning and Development Specialist

7.6 LPA

Community Development Executive

5.2 LPA

Market Research Analyst

4.3 LPA

School Counsellor

3.8 LPA

Human Resource Executive

3.3 LPA

Source: Multiple external sites (tends to vary)

Sociology Government Jobs

Sociology graduates can pursue Group A and Group B services in government organisations by qualifying for competitive exams such as UPSC CSE, UPSC IFoS, RBI Grade B, State PCS and SSC CGL.

Mentioned below are some sociology government jobs along with their respective annual incomes: 

Sociology Government Jobs

Average Salary (in INR)

Civil Servants

6.72 LPA

PCS Officer

6 LPA

RBI Manager

9.9 LPA

Assistant Section Officer

5.3 LPA

Indian Forest Service Officer

6.72 LPA

Sociology Private Jobs

There are numerous sociology job opportunities in the private sector. Sociology graduates are expected to be value-neutral though the concept of society is convoluted and abstract.

Given below are some of the top jobs in the private sector that can be pursued by sociology graduates:

Sociology Private Jobs

Average Salary (in INR)

Family Counsellor

7.4 LPA

Social Worker

2.9 LPA

Fundraising Executive

3 LPA

Journalist

2.1 LPA

Life Coach

3.4 LPA

Source: Multiple external sites (may vary)

Sociology Scope in India: Jobs, Salary and Further Education

Candidates can read further to know about the scope of Sociology in India:

Government Sector: Most jobs related to Sociology are provided by the government sector. Sociology graduates can work in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Culture. The average salary of a government employee is around INR 7.7 LPA

Media Firms: Sociology graduates are well-versed in social issues, their causes and preventive methods. This knowledge helps them to work in the media field as it requires a lot of social and public interaction. The average salary of a media consultant is around INR 7.2 LPA.

Corporates and ConsultanciesThe career options related to Sociology are limited in the private sector. However, sociology graduates can apply for positions in corporations and consultancies open to all graduates. The average annual salary of Corporate Professionals is around INR 6.8 LPA.

Educational Institutions: India is home to a growing number of schools and colleges. This ensures increasing job opportunities in the field of academia for Sociology graduates. The average salary of a Social Science Teacher is around INR 4.8 LPA. A Sociology Professor in India can earn a salary ranging between INR 3.4 LPA to INR 10 LPA.

Competitive Exams After Sociology

Sociology graduates can seek government job opportunities in the Central and State governments through various national-level and state-level competitive examinations. These examinations are usually conducted in several rounds that test a candidate’s basic aptitude and job role-specific subject knowledge. 

Given below are some of the popular competitive examinations conducted in India for recruitment in government jobs:

Sociology Competitive Exams

Description

UPSC CSE

It is conducted to select candidates for Group A services under the Government of India.

SBI PO

It is conducted for recruitment to Banking Services in the State Bank of India.

IBPS PO

It is conducted for recruitment to Banking Services in many government banks in India.

UPPSC PCS

It is a state-level exam conducted in Uttar Pradesh for recruitment to Group A and Group B services.

Courses after Sociology

Sociology was introduced in India in the 1920s when the departments of Sociology were established in Lucknow and Mumbai. Digital Marketing courses and Data Analytics courses are popular choices among candidates who wish to work in technical professions after pursuing an Arts degree such as a BA in Sociology and an MA in Sociology.

Given below are some of the courses that a Sociology graduate can pursue to enhance their career prospects:

Courses After Sociology

MA in Sociology

MA in Sociology is a postgraduate-level course in Sociology. It provides an extensive study of Sociology enhancing one's job prospects in the field. Most colleges accept the scores of CUET PG for admission to the MA Sociology course.

MBA 

Sociology graduates who wish to pursue a career in profiles associated with business and marketing. MBA in Human Resource Management is a popular option among Arts graduates. The most popular national-level entrance exam for MBA courses is the CAT exam.

B.Ed

Those interested in working as school teachers are required to have completed a Bachelor of Elementary Education. Sociology is studied as a main subject by students of higher classes in various education boards in India. One can secure admission to a B.Ed course through the CUET entrance exam.

PhD in Sociology

Those interested in augmenting their knowledge in Sociology and pursuing a career in academia can opt for a PhD. They can secure admission to a PhD course in reputed institutes through UGC NET.

Candidates can also refer to: Sociology Colleges in India

Top Recruiters for Sociology Graduates in India

Sociology graduates can work in media firms, NGOs, retail companies and many other organisations. The candidates are advised to maintain good scores in academics and enhance their skill set based on the job profile they wish to pursue. 

Given below are some of the top companies that recruit Sociology graduates:

 Sociology Recruiters

The Government of India

Reliance Digital

Network18

Sun TV Network

HT Media

Space times

Sadik Masih Medical Social Servant Society

Ganga Social Foundation

DMart

Croma

Placement in Sociology Colleges 

Given below are some of the top Sociology colleges that offer lucrative placement opportunities to Sociology graduates. The table also presents the fee structure and the average annual package a student can expect during placement sessions:

Sociology Colleges

Fees

Average Package

Janki Devi Memorial College, University of Delhi

750

5 - 15.5 LPA

Delhi University (DU)

10,890

5 - 15.5 LPA

Delhi School of Economics (DSE), University of Delhi

10,150

15.5 LPA

University of Mumbai [MU]

2,000

15 LPA

Institute of Distance and Open Learning, University of Mumbai

16,260 - 16,300

4.5 - 15 LPA

University of Lucknow

16.48 K - 1.06 L

14.4 LPA

Jadavpur University

1,800

8 - 10 LPA

IIT Indore - Indian Institute of Technology

28,000

10 LPA

Ashoka University

38.96 L

10 LPA

Note: The fees and salaries mentioned above may vary.

Sociology Courses Career: FAQs

Q. Can one get a job after pursuing a Distance Sociology course?

A. Yes, students pursuing Sociology courses in Distance mode can get a job either through college placements or by applying on job portals. Some colleges like IGNOU have placement cells for various distance courses. Some State-level colleges conduct combined placement sessions for regular Sociology courses and Distance Sociology course batches.

Table of content
  • Popular Sociology Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Sociology Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Popular Sociology Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Popular Sociology UG Courses
  • Popular Sociology PG Courses
View More

Popular Sociology Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Sociology Colleges in India. Learn more about these Sociology colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
4.61 L - 6.25 L
4.8 LPA

#10 Outlook

90 K - 1.32 L
4.0

#17 Outlook

1 Course
86.01 K
9.5 LPA

#1 NIRF

3 Courses
68.52 K - 83.52 K
10.2 LPA

#17 NIRF

84.66 K - 96.56 K
4.4 - 4.6 LPA

#14 NIRF

2 Courses
19.01 K - 19.09 K
7 LPA

#2 NIRF

Popular Private Sociology Colleges in India

3.31 L - 4.73 L
4 LPA
2 Courses
70 K - 1.26 L
2 LPA
1.48 L - 3 L
2 L - 3 L

Sociology Applications open. Apply Now

7.7 L

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Sociology. Students interested in pursuing a career on Sociology, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

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May '26 - Jun '26

CUET 2026 Exam

TENTATIVE

Oct '25

SAT Registration Deadline for November Test

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13 Feb ' 24 - 14 Mar ' 24

YCMOU March 2024 Exam

9 Apr ' 23 - 13 Apr ' 23

YCMOU June application form 2023 submission with ...

Popular Sociology Specializations

Following are the most popular Sociology Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Popular Sociology UG Courses

Following are the most popular Sociology UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Sociology PG Courses

Following are the most popular Sociology PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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Answered 2 months ago

If you're preparing for the CUET Sociology exam, first understand the basics of the subject. An NCERT book of Class 12 will help you do that. 

  • You can also apply the strategic study approach, where you'll create a study schedule, focus on the important topics, and then establish a connection between

...Read more

A

Atul Arora

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

For BA Sociology, choose the Sociology subject in the domain-specific section. I would personally suggest you consider adding two more subjects, like History, Political Science, Psychology, etc. Also, don't forget to check the specific subject requirements of the university you're aiming for.

R

Rashmi Srivastava

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

Here are some top Sociology colleges offering great placement options in India:

Top Sociology CollegesAverage Package Offered
top0 Hanumanbax Surajmall Kanoi College PlacementsINR 38.2 LPA
University of Mumbai [MU] PlacementsINR 18 LPA
University of Mumbai PlacementsINR 6 - 18 LPA
Shiv Nadar University (SNU) PlacementsINR 17.9 LPA
Delhi University (DU) PlacementsINR 16 LPA

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

G

Gunjan Dhawan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Here are some popular Sociology course options in India:

Sociology CoursesDescription
Diploma in SociologyA Diploma in Sociology is a course that can be pursued by candidates after completing Class 12. On completion, the candidate will receive a certificate of completion and not a degree.
BA SociologyA BA in Sociology is an undergraduate-level course where a student studies the fundamental concepts related to social structure, societal issues, and related subjects.
MA SociologyMA Sociology is a postgraduate-level program. This course involves the comprehensive and extensive study of social stratification. Indian society and social problems. Graduates can pursue this course.
PG Diploma in SociologyA PG Diploma in Sociology can be pursued after a postgraduate degree. Many candidates prefer to pursue a PG Diploma over an MPhil course.
PhD in SociologyA PhD in Sociology is the highest qualification that one can acquire in the field. This course can be pursued by master's degree holders and those who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree as per the latest UGC guidelines.

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

S

Shikha Arora

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Of course, around 20 universities in different countries offer Diploma in Criminology programs:

Diploma in Criminology Colleges AbroadTuition Fee
The University of SydneyINR 12 Lakh
Cardiff UniversityINR 20 Lakh
University of CanterburyINR 16 Lakh
Western Sydney UniversityINR 16 Lakh
Maynooth UniversityINR 15 Lakh

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

N

Nikita Chauhan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Here are some top MA in Criminology college options abroad:

MA in Criminology college abroadTuition Fee
University of OxfordINR 38 Lakh
University of TorontoINR 20 Lakh
The University of MelbourneINR 25 Lakh
The University of SydneyINR 28 - 29 Lakh

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

A

Atul Arora

Contributor-Level 9

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