by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Sociology and Anthropology combines the study of both sociology and anthropology. You will learn how society is organized, the origins and development of social institutions, evolution of social change, and social organizations, as a whole. Class discussions will revolve around complex social issues such as race, class, gender, and culture.
Classes in Sociology focus on social causes and consequences of human behavior, while Anthropology classes explore the origins of human behavior. Combining these two studies will allow you to fully explore what it means to be a human. You be able to answer fascinating questions about human life: how the human species has evolved over millions of years, how individuals operate in distinct cultural settings, and where differences in society originate. Coursework will involve the disciplines of human biology, psychology, political science, history, and economics.
Sociology & Anthropology was the 271st most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 520 degrees in this year alone. Our 2025 Best Sociology & Anthropology Schools ranking analyzes 18 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for sociology & anthropology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of sociology & anthropology programs later in this article.
This major is ideal for those with an absorbing curiosity in people, places, and cultures. Sociology deals with big picture questions about how humans interact. It helps to be able to draw meaning from numbers and facts. You should be able to interpret group behavior in order to make assessments about the group dynamic.
Anthropology deals with the science of human history. You will be analyzing human behavior using a number of different scientific methods and research theories. Assignments will include gathering data, conducting research and observing people in action. Learn to remain objective throughout the research process and pay attention to every detail. Other abilities needed for a career in sociology and anthropology include communication and interpersonal skills.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic sociology & anthropology program qualifications, to serve in some sociology & anthropology careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of sociology & anthropology degrees. You can get anything from a in sociology & anthropology to the highest sociology & anthropology degree, a . Depending on the sociology & anthropology degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to sociology & anthropology, with approximately 40.3% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to sociology & anthropology tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 43.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 27.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 23.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 1.6% |
| First Professional Degree | 1.3% |
Most workers in sociology & anthropology have at least a master's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in sociology & anthropology have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which sociology & anthropology career you choose.
Traditionally, those with a degree in Sociology and Anthropology go on to work in institutions of higher education and research. However, there are now more career options than ever before. Sociology and Anthropology grads are found working for contract archaeology firms at archaeological sites, in anthropology laboratories, in museums, and in social science research. You can also find jobs in any number of professional fields ranging from private firms to education to government to law.
Want a job when you graduate with your sociology & anthropology degree? Sociology & Anthropology careers are expected to grow 8.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sociology & anthropology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Sociology Professors | 19,600 | 9.5% |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | 7,900 | 3.9% |
| Anthropology and Archeology Professors | 7,800 | 9.9% |
| Sociologists | 3,500 | 0.0% |
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Sociology & Anthropology graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $29,226 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $19,495 to as high as $43,321. As you might expect, salaries for sociology & anthropology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for sociology & anthropology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers sociology & anthropology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Anthropology and Archeology Professors | $94,080 |
| Sociologists | $90,290 |
| Sociology Professors | $83,310 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $65,310 |
With over 75 different sociology & anthropology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased sociology & anthropology school rankings to help you with this.
One of 13 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, Sociology & Anthropology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sociology & Anthropology | 520 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 47,809 |
| Political Science & Government | 47,686 |
| Sociology | 35,816 |
| General Social Sciences | 17,338 |
| International Relations & National Security | 13,958 |
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