Best institutions to study Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology
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, North Africa, and Rome.
29 U.S. institutions graduated 145 Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 30.2202, a specialization of Classical and Ancient Studies (CIP 30.22), and leads most directly to the Historians occupation (BLS SOC 19-3093).
About Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology programs
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, North Africa, and Rome. Includes instruction in ancient languages, ancient history, archaeology, anthropology, Greek and Roman mythology, philosophy, and religion.
See also: 05.0108 - Near and Middle Eastern Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Classical program, formally known as Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology, offers an interdisciplinary approach to studying ancient civilizations. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the rich histories of regions such as the Near East, Europe, and the Mediterranean, including notable cultures like those of Athens, Egypt, and Rome.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in ancient languages, history, archaeology, and mythology. Core skills developed include critical thinking, reading comprehension, and effective communication, preparing graduates for a variety of roles in research and education.
Credentials awarded
What Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree98 graduates / yr · 24 institutions68%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year39 graduates / yr · 2 institutions27%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship6 graduates / yr · 4 institutions4.1%
- Master's degree2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.4%
Graduates over time
Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 133 |
| 2013 | 118 |
| 2014 | 107 |
| 2015 | 108 |
| 2016 | 108 |
| 2017 | 94 |
| 2018 | 125 |
| 2019 | 109 |
| 2020 | 92 |
| 2021 | 111 |
| 2022 | 116 |
| 2023 | 110 |
| 2024 | 107 |
| 2025 | 145 |
Top 29 institutions for Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 90% | — |
| 2 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 22 | 93% | — |
| 3 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 94% | $14,854 |
| 4 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 58% | — |
| 5 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 96% | $14,689 |
| 6 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 86% | — |
| 7 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicBachelor's | 6 | 62% | — |
| 8 | Colgate University Hamilton, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 91% | $22,903 |
| 9 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 5 | 93% | — |
| 10 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 93% | — |
| 11 | Randolph - Macon College Ashland, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 70% | $26,498 |
| 12 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 84% | $29,789 |
| 13 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 3 | 96% | $14,644 |
| 14 | Hanover College Hanover, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 67% | $20,442 |
| 15 | Cornell College Mount Vernon, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 62% | $23,073 |
| 16 | Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 76% | $19,279 |
| 17 | Saint Anselm College Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 80% | $29,600 |
| 18 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 84% | $28,851 |
| 19 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 91% | $20,586 |
| 20 | Knox College Galesburg, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 68% | $24,240 |
| 21 | Butler University Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 80% | $35,696 |
| 22 | Hampshire College Amherst, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 54% | $22,968 |
| 23 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 98% | $15,013 |
| 24 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 94% | $23,570 |
| 25 | Andrews University Berrien Springs, MIPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 72% | $17,800 |
| 26 | Calvin University Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 74% | $22,391 |
| 27 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 80% | $24,886 |
| 28 | John Carroll University University Heights, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 79% | $25,705 |
| 29 | Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 84% | $27,178 |
Offered in 17 states
Where Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology graduates come from. Each state links to all Classical and Ancient Studies programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3 | 33 | University of California - Berkeley22 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 28 | University of Wisconsin - Madison28 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 16 | Vanderbilt University16 / yr |
| Missouri | 2 | 12 | Missouri State University - Springfield11 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 2 | 11 | Dartmouth College9 / yr |
| Michigan | 4 | 9 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor5 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 8 | Colgate University6 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 7 | University of Illinois Chicago6 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 4 | Randolph - Macon College4 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 3 | 3 | Hampshire College1 / yr |
| Indiana | 2 | 3 | Hanover College2 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 3 | George Washington University3 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 3 | Brown University3 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 2 | Cornell College2 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 1 | Emory University1 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | John Carroll University1 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | Franklin and Marshall College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3093, Historians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Classical program often pursue careers as historians or educators in related fields. The job outlook for historians is about as fast as average, with an estimated 300 annual openings and a median wage of $74,050. A Master's degree is typically required for advanced positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 30.2202
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Historiansprimary SOC 19-3093 | $76,750 | +2.2% About as fast as average | ~300 | Master's degree |
History Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1125 | $83,820 | -0.2% Little or no change | ~1,700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1062 | $85,020 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1061 | $99,650 | +2.7% About as fast as average | ~500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
- Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
- Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
- Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.
- Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
- Conserve and preserve manuscripts, records, and other artifacts.
Tools and technology used
Other Classical and Ancient Studies specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Classical and Ancient Studies (CIP 30.22).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, a Doctor's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, reading comprehension, and active learning.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a historian, history teacher, or in related educational roles.
What is the job outlook for historians?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with approximately 300 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology?+
Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology is CIP 30.2202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Classical and Ancient Studies (CIP 30.22). NCES defines it as: 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, North Africa, and Rome. Includes instruction in ancient languages, ancient history, archaeology, anthropology, Greek and Roman mythology, philosophy, and religion.
How many institutions offer Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology programs?+
29 U.S. institutions reported Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 17 states, awarding 145 credentials in the year. That is 57.5% of all Classical and Ancient Studies graduates.
How much do Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Historians occupation, which Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology most directly leads to, pays a median of $76,750 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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