Best institutions to study Classical and Ancient Studies
Compare 55 U.S. colleges offering Classical and Ancient Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 26 states.
Classical and Ancient Studies programs report a median of $32,054 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 30.22 and the Anthropologists and Archeologists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Classical and Ancient Studies programs
The Classical and Ancient Studies program offers an interdisciplinary exploration of Greek and Roman civilizations, focusing on their languages, literature, history, and cultural practices. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the foundations of Western culture and the ancient world through various academic lenses, including archaeology and anthropology.
Students in this program develop critical skills in writing, speaking, and critical thinking, while gaining knowledge in sociology, history, and foreign languages. Coursework often includes research methodologies and the study of ancient texts, equipping students with the tools to analyze and interpret historical data.
Top 1 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 Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,054 | 2 | 67% | — | $24,000 |
Offered across 26 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | $32,054 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln |
| California | 4 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 2 | — | — |
| Indiana | 3 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 2 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 6 | — | — |
| Michigan | 4 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missouri | 3 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 2 | — | — |
| New York | 7 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 2 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3091, Anthropologists and Archeologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Classical and Ancient Studies can pursue various careers in education, research, and cultural heritage. The job outlook for related fields shows a growth rate of 3.7%, with approximately 800 annual openings and a median wage of $64,910, typically requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Classical and Ancient Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.22.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.22 (Classical and Ancient Studies) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-3091 | Anthropologists and Archeologistsprimary |
| 19-3093 | Historians |
| 25-1061 | Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1062 | Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1125 | History Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Classical and Ancient Studies 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 Classical and Ancient Studies
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Ancient Studies/CivilizationCIP 30.2201
A program that focuses on Western and Non-Western cultures and related topics in the periods of Pre-history and Antiquity
- Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and ArchaeologyCIP 30.2202
A program that focuses on the study of the classical ancient civilizations of the ancient Near East, Europe, and the Mediterranean Sea, such as Athens, Anatolia, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Mesopotamia, No
- Classical and Ancient Studies, OtherCIP 30.2299
Any program in classical and ancient studies not listed above.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Classical and Ancient Studies program?+
The program focuses on the study of Greek and Roman civilizations, including their languages, literature, and cultural practices.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, and research methodologies, alongside knowledge in history and sociology.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
Graduates can find opportunities in education, research, and cultural heritage, with a job outlook growth of 3.7%.
What level of education is typically required for careers in this field?+
Most careers in this field typically require a master's degree.
How much do Classical and Ancient Studies graduates earn?+
Classical and Ancient Studies graduates report median earnings of $32,054 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 Classical and Ancient Studies?+
Classical and Ancient Studies maps to CIP 30.22 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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