Best institutions to study Archeology
Compare 60 U.S. colleges offering Archeology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 30 states.
Archeology programs report a median of $29,547 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 45.03 and the Anthropologists and Archeologists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Archeology programs
The Archeology program focuses on the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. Students will explore artifacts, architecture, and cultural landscapes to gain insights into past societies. This program is ideal for those interested in understanding historical contexts and cultural dynamics through scientific methods and critical analysis. As a blend of social sciences and humanities, the Archeology program prepares students for various roles in research, education, and cultural heritage. It is suited for individuals who are curious about human history and enjoy hands-on fieldwork, including surveying and excavation, as well as data analysis and interpretation.
In the Archeology program, students will develop essential skills such as writing, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework will cover topics in sociology, anthropology, history, and geography, equipping students with the knowledge needed to analyze social patterns and cultural practices.
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,547 | 16 | 71% | — | $23,008 |
| 2 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,061 | 22 | 65% | — | — |
Offered across 30 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 3 | $29,547 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse |
| Washington | 3 | $24,061 | Western Washington University |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 9 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 2 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 3 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 5 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohio | 4 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 5 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3091, Anthropologists and Archeologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Archeology program can pursue careers in research, education, and cultural resource management. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 3.7% and around 800 annual openings. The median wage for archeologists is approximately $64,910, with a typical education requirement of a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Archeology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 45.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 45.03 (Archeology) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-3091 | Anthropologists and Archeologistsprimary |
| 25-1061 | Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 39-7011 | Tour Guides and Escorts |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Archeology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Collect information and make judgments through observation, interviews, and review of documents.
- Teach or mentor undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology or archeology.
- Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences.
- Plan and direct research to characterize and compare the economic, demographic, health care, social, political, linguistic, and religious institutions of distinct cultural groups, communities, and organizations.
- Create data records for use in describing and analyzing social patterns and processes, using photography, videography, and audio recordings.
- Train others in the application of ethnographic research methods to solve problems in organizational effectiveness, communications, technology development, policy making, and program planning.
Concentrations within Archeology
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- ArcheologyCIP 45.0301
A program that focuses on the systematic study of extinct societies, and the past of living societies, via the excavation, analysis and interpretation of their artifactual, human, and associated remai
Common questions
What is Archeology?+
Archeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture, including artifacts and cultural landscapes.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, active listening, and data analysis.
What are the career prospects for Archeology graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a median wage of $64,910 and around 800 annual job openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
Most careers in Archeology require a master's degree.
How much do Archeology graduates earn?+
Archeology graduates report median earnings of $29,547 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Anthropologists and Archeologists occupation pays about $75,620 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Archeology?+
Archeology maps to CIP 45.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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