by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 50 U.S. colleges awarded 574 degrees and certificates in Sociology & Anthropology. College Factual ranks 17 schools in its 2027 Best Sociology & Anthropology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $29,482 one year after completing, rising to $48,176 after four years.
A 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.
A degree in Sociology & Anthropology involves the study of Sociology And Anthropology.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., sociology & anthropology draws strong interest, with 574 degrees awarded annually. 50 colleges award sociology & anthropology degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 61.
All 574 of the awards are bachelor’s degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 74% of sociology & anthropology degrees and certificates in the latest year (426 of 574). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (300) and Black or African American (85), and international students earned 26.
College Factual ranks 17 schools in its 2027 Best Sociology & Anthropology Schools ranking, including 17 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks sociology & anthropology schools within 12 states. In all, 50 colleges offer sociology & anthropology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
O*NET rates Speaking the most important skill for jobs related to sociology & anthropology, at 4.3 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are English Language, Education and Training and Law and Government. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Written Comprehension.
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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a sociology & anthropology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 574 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to sociology & anthropology, at 35.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 35.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.0% |
| Master’s degree | 15.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.4% |
| Some college courses | 1.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
11 occupations are related to Sociology & Anthropology, with an average median salary of $100,018; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Assistant Professor, Professor, Instructor and Associate Professor.
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.
The occupation related to sociology & anthropology with the most projected jobs is Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary, at 730,797.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | 730,797 | 12.0% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary | 262,916 | 6.6% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Sociologists | 143,776 | 3.0% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
Sociology & Anthropology graduates earn a median $29,482 one year after completing their program, $48,176 after four years and $47,479 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,482 |
| 4 years | $48,176 |
| 5 years | $47,479 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to sociology & anthropology is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
| Sociologists | $74,866 |
Sociology & Anthropology includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Sociology and Anthropology (574). It has 13 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 187,622 degrees a year; the largest are Economics (48,196), Political Science and Government (45,425) and Sociology (30,816). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sociology and Anthropology | 574 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 48,196 |
| Political Science and Government | 45,425 |
| Sociology | 30,816 |
| Social Sciences, General | 17,558 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 12,780 |
| Criminology | 10,920 |
| Anthropology | 10,836 |
| Geography and Cartography | 7,459 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1,820 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,300 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
