His research focuses on status distinctions that operate as bases of social inequality and social inclusion/exclusion comprising race and ethnicity, immigration status, and religion. He is currently researching issues related to racial contestation, the experience whereby one’s personal racial identity does not match how they are perceived racially by others. Vargas’ peer-reviewed research has appeared in journals including Ethnic and Racial Studies, Social Science Research, Sociological Perspectives, and Sociology of Religion, among others. His research on religion and non-religion in the United States has received multiple awards from the American Sociological Association including the religion section’s “Most Distinguished Article” award with colleague Matthew Loveland.