Ancient Studies and Civilization: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the foundations of human civilization through a multidisciplinary lens, examining societies from prehistoric origins to the ancient world across both Western and Non-Western regions. This program equips students with analytical and interpretive skills to understand the cultural, political, and environmental forces that shaped early human development.
- Archaeology: The scientific study of past human societies through material remains, including artifacts, structures, and environmental data, to reconstruct daily life and historical events.
- Ancient Languages: In-depth exploration of classical and ancient linguistic systems such as Greek, Latin, Sumerian, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and others, enabling direct engagement with primary texts.
- Historical Analysis: Critical examination of ancient civilizations through chronological frameworks, political structures, and socio-political transformations across regions like Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Mediterranean, South Asia, and Mesoamerica.
- Art and Material Culture: Study of visual and tactile expressions of ancient societies, including sculpture, architecture, ceramics, and iconography, as indicators of belief systems and cultural identity.
- Religious and Philosophical Traditions: Investigation into the development, spread, and impact of early religious beliefs, mythologies, and philosophical thought across diverse cultural contexts.
- Environmental and Geographic Contexts: Analysis of how climate, terrain, and natural resources influenced settlement patterns, agricultural practices, and the rise and decline of ancient societies.
- Population and Social Structures: Examination of demographic trends, social hierarchies, gender roles, urbanization, and economic systems within ancient communities.
- Interdisciplinary Social Sciences: Application of anthropological, sociological, and political science methods to interpret ancient social organization, governance, and cultural exchange.
Ancient Studies and Civilization Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Ancient Studies and Civilization Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Ancient Studies and Civilization degrees, including Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary and History Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 47,760 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1061 | $95,770 | $51,380 - $169,090 | 5,260 | N/A |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1062 | $84,290 | $51,130 - $164,650 | 11,430 | N/A |
| History Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1125 | $81,500 | $47,730 - $158,140 | 19,860 | N/A |
| Historians 19-3093 | $74,050 | $38,630 - $128,500 | 3,140 | $35.60 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists 19-3091 | $64,910 | $44,510 - $104,510 | 8,070 | $31.21 |
Ancient Studies and Civilization Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,000 in North Dakota to $106,810 in New Hampshire—a 118% difference. The highest-paying states include New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 47,760 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Ancient Studies and Civilization by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 27 institutions offering Ancient Studies and Civilization programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Ancient Studies and Civilization is found at University of Iowa (24 graduates), Boston University (BU) (17 graduates), University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln (16 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (12 graduates), and Wellesley College (9 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 157 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Wellesley College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Wellesley, Massachusetts | Private | wellesley.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Colby College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Waterville, Maine | Private | colby.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Middletown, Connecticut | Private | wesleyan.edu |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| Bates College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Lewiston, Maine | Private | bates.edu |
| Fordham University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| University of Richmond (UR) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | University of Richmond, Virginia | Private | richmond.edu |
| Mount Holyoke College (MHC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | South Hadley, Massachusetts | Private | mtholyoke.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Vassar College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Private | vassar.edu |
| Harvard University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| Creighton University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| Barnard College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | barnard.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
|
2 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Delaware, Ohio | Private | owu.edu |
| Brown University |
Master's
|
1 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mequon, Wisconsin | Private | cuw.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Ancient Studies and Civilization programs
How much can I earn with a Ancient Studies and Civilization degree?
Salaries for Ancient Studies and Civilization graduates vary by role and location. Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $95,770 annually, while Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $84,290. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New Hampshire average $106,810 compared to $49,000 in North Dakota. Approximately 47,760 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Ancient Studies and Civilization programs?
Currently 27 accredited institutions offer Ancient Studies and Civilization degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Iowa (24 graduates), Boston University (BU) (17 graduates), and University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln (16 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Ancient Studies and Civilization growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 154 in 2010 to 157 in 2023-24. This represents a 2% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Ancient Studies and Civilization degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, and History Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 47,760 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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