South Carolina · Anthropology

Best colleges for Anthropology in South Carolina

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of South Carolina-Columbia, College of Charleston and Clemson University award the most Anthropology degrees and certificates in South Carolina: 32, 22 and 20 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 South Carolina colleges offer Anthropology and award 80 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Anthropology program offers an in-depth exploration of humanity through the lenses of biology and sociology. Students will study human behavior, cultures, societies, and linguistics, both in contemporary contexts and throughout…

Institutions
5
offering CIP 45.02
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
80
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$23,785
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$24,932
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
72%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Anthropologists and Archeologists
$69,930
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1College of Charleston
Charleston Public · Bachelor's degree
$26,8422266%—$23,000
2University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia Public · Bachelor's degree
$23,7853279%—$23,687

Colleges awarding the most Anthropology degrees in South Carolina

Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia Public
32$23,785
2College of Charleston
Charleston Public
22$26,842
3Clemson University
Clemson Public
20Not reported
4Furman University
Greenville Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
5Coastal Carolina University
Conway Public
1Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Anthropologists and Archeologists (SOC 19-3091).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.7%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~800
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$64,910
typically Master's degree

Top skills

WritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionActive Learning

What Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in South Carolina

Jobs in South Carolina
50
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$69,930
median $63,130
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

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Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
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Common questions

Answers for students comparing Anthropology programs in South Carolina.

Which South Carolina colleges award the most Anthropology degrees?+

University of South Carolina-Columbia (32 graduates a year), College of Charleston (22 graduates a year) and Clemson University (20 graduates a year) award the most Anthropology degrees and certificates in South Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 South Carolina colleges offer Anthropology.

Which Anthropology program in South Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, College of Charleston tops the list at $26,842. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in South Carolina?+

The average annual wage for Anthropologists and Archeologists in South Carolina is $69,930 (median $63,130), across about 50 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Anthropology program?+

The Anthropology program offers an in-depth exploration of humanity through the lenses of biology and sociology. Students will study human behavior, cultures, societies, and linguistics, both in contemporary contexts and throughout…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop writing, speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Anthropologists and Archeologists?+

The national job outlook is about +3.7% growth with around 800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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