Sociology and Anthropology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Students in this interdisciplinary program explore the complex structures and dynamics that shape human societies and cultural systems. By integrating the analytical frameworks of sociology and anthropology, learners gain a comprehensive understanding of social behavior, institutional evolution, and the forces driving cultural and societal transformation across time and space.
- Social Organization: Examines how individuals and groups interact within structured systems, including families, communities, and formal institutions like governments and educational systems.
- Social Institutions: Investigates the development, function, and impact of foundational societal structures such as religion, law, economy, and healthcare on collective life.
- Human Cultural Diversity: Explores the wide range of cultural practices, belief systems, and material expressions across different populations and historical periods.
- Social Change and Transformation: Analyzes the processes and causes behind shifts in societal norms, political systems, and economic models over time.
- Structures of Inequality: Studies the interplay of race, class, gender, and other identity markers in shaping access to power, resources, and opportunities.
- Anthropological Field Methods: Applies ethnographic techniques, participant observation, and qualitative data collection to understand lived human experiences in real-world contexts.
Sociology and Anthropology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Sociology and Anthropology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Sociology and Anthropology degrees, including Managers, All Other, Sociologists and Anthropology and Archeology 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 659,640 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Sociologists 19-3041 | $101,690 | $60,710 - $168,590 | 2,950 | $48.89 |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1061 | $95,770 | $51,380 - $169,090 | 5,260 | N/A |
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1067 | $82,540 | $49,330 - $167,240 | 12,380 | N/A |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists 19-3091 | $64,910 | $44,510 - $104,510 | 8,070 | $31.21 |
Sociology and Anthropology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $71,473 in Tennessee to $147,240 in Rhode Island—a 106% difference. The highest-paying states include Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Delaware. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 659,640 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 Sociology and Anthropology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 49 institutions offering Sociology and Anthropology 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 Sociology and Anthropology is found at College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) (55 graduates), Lewis & Clark College (38 graduates), Lake Forest College (25 graduates), Washington and Lee University (W&L) (23 graduates), and University of Puget Sound (UPS) (22 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 496 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) |
Bachelor's
|
55 | Staten Island, New York | Public | csi.cuny.edu |
| Lewis & Clark College |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Portland, Oregon | Private | lclark.edu |
| Lake Forest College |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Lake Forest, Illinois | Private | lakeforest.edu |
| Washington and Lee University (W&L) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Lexington, Virginia | Private | wlu.edu |
| University of Puget Sound (UPS) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | pugetsound.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| Valdosta State University (VSU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Valdosta, Georgia | Public | valdosta.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
19 | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Centre College |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Danville, Kentucky | Private | centre.edu |
| Pace University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Wofford College |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Private | wofford.edu |
| Carleton College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | carleton.edu |
| Southern Oregon University (SOU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Ashland, Oregon | Public | sou.edu |
| Lafayette College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Easton, Pennsylvania | Private | lafayette.edu |
| Augustana College |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Rock Island, Illinois | Private | augustana.edu |
| Knox College (Knox) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Galesburg, Illinois | Private | knox.edu |
| Swarthmore College |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Private | swarthmore.edu |
| Denison University (DU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Granville, Ohio | Private | denison.edu |
| Spelman College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | spelman.edu |
| High Point University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | High Point, North Carolina | Private | highpoint.edu |
| Ursinus College (Ursinus) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Collegeville, Pennsylvania | Private | ursinus.edu |
| Saint Michael's College (SMC) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Colchester, Vermont | Private | smcvt.edu |
| Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Danbury, Connecticut | Public | wcsu.edu |
| Guilford College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Private | guilford.edu |
| Warren Wilson College (WWC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Swannanoa, North Carolina | Private | warren-wilson.edu |
| The College of Idaho (C of I) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Caldwell, Idaho | Private | collegeofidaho.edu |
| Governors State University (GSU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | University Park, Illinois | Public | govst.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Lycoming College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Private | lycoming.edu |
| Roger Williams University (RWU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Bristol, Rhode Island | Private | rwu.edu |
| University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Springfield, Illinois | Public | uis.edu |
| Webster University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| Principia College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Elsah, Illinois | Private | principiacollege.edu |
| Earlham College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Richmond, Indiana | Private | earlham.edu |
| Bellarmine University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Louisville, Kentucky | Private | bellarmine.edu |
| Albion College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Albion, Michigan | Private | albion.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| Millsaps College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Jackson, Mississippi | Private | millsaps.edu |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Private | nebrwesleyan.edu |
| Keene State College (KSC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Keene, New Hampshire | Public | keene.edu |
| Fairfield University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | fairfield.edu |
| Taylor University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Upland, Indiana | Private | taylor.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Master's
|
2 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| Elmira College (EC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Elmira, New York | Private | elmira.edu |
| Piedmont University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Demorest, Georgia | Private | piedmont.edu |
| Cornell College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Private | cornellcollege.edu |
| The University of Olivet |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Olivet, Michigan | Private | uolivet.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWGB) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | uwgb.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Sociology and Anthropology programs
How much can I earn with a Sociology and Anthropology degree?
Salaries for Sociology and Anthropology graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Sociologists earn around $101,690. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Rhode Island average $147,240 compared to $71,473 in Tennessee. Approximately 659,640 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 Sociology and Anthropology programs?
Currently 49 accredited institutions offer Sociology and Anthropology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) (55 graduates), Lewis & Clark College (38 graduates), and Lake Forest College (25 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 Sociology and Anthropology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 258 in 2010 to a peak of 499 in 2020, before declining slightly to 496 in 2023-24. This represents a 92% 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 Sociology and Anthropology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Sociologists, and Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 659,640 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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