Best colleges for Sociology and Anthropology
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Sociology and Anthropology by graduate earnings are Lafayette College ($43,321), College of Staten Island CUNY ($34,139) and Valdosta State University ($30,802), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Lafayette College (Easton, PA): $43,321, 24 graduates a year
- College of Staten Island CUNY (Staten Island, NY): $34,139, 61 graduates a year
- Valdosta State University (Valdosta, GA): $30,802, 20 graduates a year
- Lewis & Clark College (Portland, OR): $24,098, 40 graduates a year
Compare 49 U.S. colleges offering Sociology and Anthropology by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 26 states.
Sociology and Anthropology programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,054 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 45.13 and the Sociologists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Sociology and Anthropology programs
The Sociology and Anthropology program explores the complexities of human society and culture. This interdisciplinary field combines the study of social structures, cultural diversity, and universal human behaviors, making it ideal for students interested in understanding the dynamics of various communities and cultures. Students will engage with both sociological and anthropological perspectives to analyze and interpret social phenomena.
In this program, students will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics in sociology and anthropology, data collection methods, and the analysis of human behavior, equipping students with a robust understanding of social sciences.
Top 10 bachelor's programs, 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 | Lafayette College Easton, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,321 | 24 | 88% | $20,396 | $17,549 |
| 2 | College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,139 | 61 | 34% | — | $15,180 |
| 3 | Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,802 | 20 | 42% | — | $37,249 |
| 4 | Lewis & Clark College Portland, OR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,098 | 40 | 75% | $27,621 | $19,000 |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,388 | 18 | 52% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Centre College Danville, KY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,054 | 11 | 81% | $18,407 | $27,000 |
| 7 | Southern Oregon University Ashland, OR Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,702 | 7 | 43% | — | $20,000 |
| 8 | Knox College Galesburg, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,350 | 11 | 68% | $24,240 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Denison University Granville, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,752 | 3 | 79% | $23,864 | $26,500 |
| 10 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $19,495 | 17 | 68% | $35,057 | $24,924 |
Specializations within Sociology and Anthropology
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 45.13 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 5 | $43,321 | Lafayette College |
| Massachusettslimited | 1 | $34,388 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth |
| New York | 3 | $34,139 | College of Staten Island CUNY |
| Georgialimited | 2 | $30,802 | Valdosta State University |
| Kentuckylimited | 2 | $29,054 | Centre College |
| Oregonlimited | 2 | $27,702 | Southern Oregon University |
| Illinois | 6 | $26,350 | Knox College |
| Ohiolimited | 1 | $23,752 | Denison University |
| Washingtonlimited | 2 | $19,495 | University of Puget Sound |
| Connecticutlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Michigan | 3 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolina | 3 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 2 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3041, Sociologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Sociology and Anthropology program can expect a career outlook that is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 3.6% and approximately 300 annual job openings. Many positions in this field require a Master's degree, with a median wage of $101,690.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Sociology and Anthropology
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 45.13.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 45.13 (Sociology and Anthropology) 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 |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 19-3041 | Sociologistsprimary |
| 19-3091 | Anthropologists and Archeologists |
| 25-1061 | Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1067 | Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Sociology and Anthropology 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
- Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
- Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
- Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
- Teach sociology.
- Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Sociology and Anthropology program?+
The program focuses on the study of society and culture, examining social structures and cultural diversity.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and data analysis.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
Career prospects include a growth rate of 3.6% and about 300 annual job openings in the field.
What level of education is typically required for careers in this field?+
Most positions require a Master's degree in Sociology or Anthropology.
How much do Sociology and Anthropology graduates earn?+
Sociology and Anthropology graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,054, College Scorecard (2019); the Sociologists occupation pays about $114,920 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Sociology and Anthropology?+
Sociology and Anthropology maps to CIP 45.13 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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