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.
A degree in Sociology & Anthropology involves the study of Sociology And Anthropology. Read on to learn the key facts every sociology & anthropology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering sociology & anthropology programs.
In the U.S., sociology & anthropology draws strong interest, with 496 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Sociology & Anthropology Schools ranking analyzes these 49 schools to determine the best overall colleges for sociology & anthropology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of sociology & anthropology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Sociology & Anthropology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations sociology & anthropology graduates commonly enter.
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.
The skill set developed in a sociology & anthropology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a sociology & anthropology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several sociology & anthropology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 494 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to sociology & anthropology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in sociology & anthropology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
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.
Studying sociology & anthropology can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to sociology & anthropology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sociology & anthropology.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of sociology & anthropology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,482 |
| 4 years | $42,604 |
| 5 years | $47,479 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for sociology & anthropology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers sociology & anthropology grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 49 different sociology & anthropology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased sociology & anthropology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in sociology & anthropology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sociology and Anthropology | 496 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 45,628 |
| Political Science and Government | 44,942 |
| Sociology | 31,380 |
| Social Sciences, General | 17,510 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 13,035 |
| Anthropology | 10,768 |
| Criminology | 10,365 |
| Geography and Cartography | 7,105 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1,942 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,343 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
