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 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 541 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 43 over the prior year, a growth of 7.9%.
This year's Best Sociology & Anthropology Schools ranking compares 25 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom sociology and anthropology rankings further below.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to analyze social factors and become an advocate for individual and community health with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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.
sociology and anthropology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific sociology and anthropology careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of sociology and anthropology degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in sociology and anthropology to something that takes less time like a . Sociology & Anthropology programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| 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 and anthropology, with approximately 40.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for sociology and anthropology workers below.
| 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% |
71.4% of sociology and anthropology workers have at least a master's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in sociology and anthropology have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which sociology and 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 and 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 and 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% |
Sociology & Anthropology graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $25,272 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $19,528 to as high as $29,091. As you might expect, salaries for sociology and anthropology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for sociology and anthropology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers sociology and 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 and 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 and anthropology school rankings to help you with this.
One of 12 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, Sociology & Anthropology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Political Science & Government | 49,282 |
| Economics | 49,055 |
| Sociology | 38,475 |
| General Social Sciences | 18,997 |
| International Relations & National Security | 14,306 |
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