Best colleges for Classical and Ancient Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
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 median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,054 (College Scorecard, 2019), 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
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,054 | 2 | 67% | — | $24,000 |
Specializations within Classical and Ancient Studies
3 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 30.22 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and ArchaeologyCIP 30.2202145 graduates / yr29 institutions17 states
- Ancient Studies/CIP 30.2201
Civilization 105 graduates / yr27 institutions19 states - Classical and Ancient StudiesCIP 30.2299New in CIP 2020limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
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.
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 one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,054, College Scorecard (2019); 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card