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 |
Salary Comparison
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 | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Staten Island CUNY (CSI) |
Bachelor's
|
55 | N/A | Staten Island, New York | Public | csi.cuny.edu |
| Lewis & Clark College |
Bachelor's
|
38 |
SAT: 1210-1390 ACT: 28-31 |
Portland, Oregon | Private | lclark.edu |
| Lake Forest College |
Bachelor's
|
25 |
SAT: 1170-1365 ACT: 28-31 |
Lake Forest, Illinois | Private | lakeforest.edu |
| Washington and Lee University (W&L) |
Bachelor's
|
23 |
SAT: 1410-1530 ACT: 32-35 |
Lexington, Virginia | Private | wlu.edu |
| University of Puget Sound (UPS) |
Bachelor's
|
22 |
SAT: 1185-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Tacoma, Washington | Private | pugetsound.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
21 |
SAT: 1260-1470 ACT: 28-32 |
Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| Valdosta State University (VSU) |
Bachelor's
|
20 |
SAT: 950-1130 ACT: 17-23 |
Valdosta, Georgia | Public | valdosta.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
19 |
SAT: 1040-1260 ACT: 22-27 |
North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Centre College |
Bachelor's
|
18 |
SAT: 1230-1423 ACT: 26-32 |
Danville, Kentucky | Private | centre.edu |
| Pace University |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1130-1328 ACT: 24-29 |
New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Wofford College |
Bachelor's
|
16 |
SAT: 1200-1350 ACT: 27-31 |
Spartanburg, South Carolina | Private | wofford.edu |
| Carleton College |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 1430-1550 ACT: 32-34 |
Northfield, Minnesota | Private | carleton.edu |
| Southern Oregon University (SOU) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | N/A | Ashland, Oregon | Public | sou.edu |
| Lafayette College |
Bachelor's
|
15 |
SAT: 1340-1490 ACT: 30-33 |
Easton, Pennsylvania | Private | lafayette.edu |
| Augustana College |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 1010-1250 ACT: 21-28 |
Rock Island, Illinois | Private | augustana.edu |
| Knox College (Knox) |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 1120-1385 ACT: 21-30 |
Galesburg, Illinois | Private | knox.edu |
| Swarthmore College |
Bachelor's
|
13 |
SAT: 1460-1560 ACT: 33-34 |
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Private | swarthmore.edu |
| Denison University (DU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 |
SAT: 1300-1470 ACT: 29-32 |
Granville, Ohio | Private | denison.edu |
| Spelman College |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1060-1270 ACT: 21-27 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Private | spelman.edu |
| High Point University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1110-1300 ACT: 23-31 |
High Point, North Carolina | Private | highpoint.edu |
| Ursinus College (Ursinus) |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1160-1360 ACT: 28-32 |
Collegeville, Pennsylvania | Private | ursinus.edu |
| Saint Michael's College (SMC) |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1150-1310 ACT: 22-30 |
Colchester, Vermont | Private | smcvt.edu |
| Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 |
SAT: 840-1150 ACT: 20-27 |
Danbury, Connecticut | Public | wcsu.edu |
| Guilford College |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1010-1250 ACT: 18-26 |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Private | guilford.edu |
| Warren Wilson College (WWC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | ACT: 25-30 | Swannanoa, North Carolina | Private | warren-wilson.edu |
| The College of Idaho (C of I) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1080-1270 ACT: 20-28 |
Caldwell, Idaho | Private | collegeofidaho.edu |
| Governors State University (GSU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | N/A | University Park, Illinois | Public | govst.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1160-1340 ACT: 27-31 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Lycoming College |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1070-1273 ACT: 23-30 |
Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Private | lycoming.edu |
| Roger Williams University (RWU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 |
SAT: 1130-1300 ACT: 24-30 |
Bristol, Rhode Island | Private | rwu.edu |
| University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1010-1210 ACT: 21-28 |
Springfield, Illinois | Public | uis.edu |
| Webster University |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1006-1233 ACT: 20-28 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1280-1460 ACT: 29-33 |
Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| Principia College |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1040-1250 ACT: 19-23 |
Elsah, Illinois | Private | principiacollege.edu |
| Earlham College |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1178-1363 ACT: 23-30 |
Richmond, Indiana | Private | earlham.edu |
| Bellarmine University |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1075-1243 ACT: 22-28 |
Louisville, Kentucky | Private | bellarmine.edu |
| Albion College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | N/A | Albion, Michigan | Private | albion.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | SAT: 995-1185 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| Millsaps College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | N/A | Jackson, Mississippi | Private | millsaps.edu |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1020-1210 ACT: 22-27 |
Lincoln, Nebraska | Private | nebrwesleyan.edu |
| Keene State College (KSC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | N/A | Keene, New Hampshire | Public | keene.edu |
| Fairfield University |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 1240-1380 ACT: 29-32 |
Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | fairfield.edu |
| Taylor University |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 1070-1340 ACT: 23-30 |
Upland, Indiana | Private | taylor.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Master's
|
2 |
SAT: 970-1280 ACT: 18-25 |
Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| Elmira College (EC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | SAT: 1116-1332 | Elmira, New York | Private | elmira.edu |
| Piedmont University |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 990-1170 ACT: 18-24 |
Demorest, Georgia | Private | piedmont.edu |
| Cornell College |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1150-1318 ACT: 23-30 |
Mount Vernon, Iowa | Private | cornellcollege.edu |
| The University of Olivet |
Bachelor's
|
1 | N/A | Olivet, Michigan | Private | uolivet.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWGB) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | ACT: 18-25 | 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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