Sociology and Anthropology: is it worth it?
A 0–100 score blending this major’s national earnings, ROI and typical debt. How it’s scored.
National picture across 5 college programs, at a typical net price.
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
What Sociology and Anthropology pays
Career outlook for Sociology and Anthropology graduates
The job market for the occupations Sociology and Anthropology graduates typically enter, projected through 2034 — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is the demand side, complementing the IRS-verified graduate earnings above.
Top jobs for this major
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | Growth to 2034 | Median pay | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, all other | 1,333,700 | +4.5% | $136,550 | Bachelor's degree |
| Sociology teachers, postsecondary | 15,400 | +2.1% | $82,540 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Anthropologists and archeologists | 8,800 | +3.7% | $64,910 | Master's degree |
| Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary | 6,500 | +2.7% | $95,770 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Sociologists | 3,400 | +3.6% | $101,690 | Master's degree |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2024–34) & the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupation pay is the national median wage for the role — not the same as graduate earnings, which we draw from IRS records.
Sociology and Anthropology vs similar majors
How Sociology and Anthropology stacks up against the closest fields in Social Sciences on pay, debt, ROI and the DR Rating. The best figure in each row is highlighted.
| Sociology and Anthropology Social Sciences · this major | Economics | International Relations and National Security Studies | Urban Studies/Affairs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 26 F | 88 A | 74 B | 64 C |
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $51,053 | $84,830 | $72,857 | $66,845 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $29,437 | $55,377 | $47,208 | $45,013 |
| ROI vs cost | -25% | +400% | +239% | +173% |
| Typical debt | $24,660 | $21,120 | $28,128 | $21,781 |
| Colleges offering it | 5 | 371 | 145 | 33 |
Sociology and Anthropology earnings over time
National median earnings one year after graduating, by cohort year — the consistent measure available across the federal data’s history.
Best colleges for Sociology and Anthropology
Ranked by the ROI of this major at each college — its graduate earnings against the cost.
| # | College | Credential | Earnings (5 yr) | Median debt | 10-yr ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centre College Danville, KY | Associate's | $60,664 | $27,000 | +205% | Strong return |
| 2 | St Olaf College Northfield, MN | Associate's | $53,357 | $24,644 | +47% | Break-even |
| 3 | Denison University Granville, OH | Associate's | $55,049 | $26,500 | +12% | Break-even |
| 4 | Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA | Associate's | $43,809 | $29,974 | -136% | Poor return |
| 5 | College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NY | Associate's | $42,385 | $15,180 | -257% | Poor return |
Related majors
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.