Archeology graduates earn $41,748 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,375 and $55,121. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Archeology is a focused area of study within Social Sciences. Graduates typically earn around $41,748 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 77 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 339 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$26,804
Median Earnings · 4yr
$41,748
Colleges Offering
77
Graduates / Year
339
Avg Net Price / yr
$22,388
How Much Do Archeology Graduates Earn?
Archeology graduates earn $41,748 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,375 and $55,121. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $26,804 climbs to $41,748 by year four.
$26,804
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$41,748
4-Year National Median
Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.
$40,591
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Archeology graduates. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$30,37525th pct.
$41,748Median
$55,12175th pct.
Is the Cost Worth It?
At median 4-year earnings of $41,748 and an estimated $89,552 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 7.6 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.
Based on outcomes from 53 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 339 students who complete Archeology programs each year, the majority (75%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
75%
Bachelor's75%
Master's17%
Associate's3%
What Can You Do With an Archeology Degree?
Archeology connects to 2 occupations in the job market. Anthropology and Archeology Teachers leads at $99,650/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in anthropology or archeology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula, career issues, and laboratory and field research.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as research methods, urban anthropology, and language and culture.
Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.
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.
Top Colleges for Archeology
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Archeology students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Archeology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Archeology carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 1 strengths and 3 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $26,804 at graduation to $41,748 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
CONS
Below-average earningsFour-year median of $41,748 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Long earnings breakevenAt median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 7.6 years.
Archeology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Archeology graduates earn?
Archeology graduates earn a national median of $41,748 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,375 and $55,121. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Archeology degree?
One year after graduation, Archeology degree holders earn a median of $26,804. That climbs to $41,748 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Archeology degree?
Archeology degree holders pursue careers including Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, which pays a median of $99,650/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Archeology program take?
A Archeology bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Archeology?
77 colleges and universities in the United States offer Archeology programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Archeology degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $41,748 and an average net price of roughly $22,388/yr, a Archeology degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Archeology and Social Sciences?
Archeology is a focused concentration within the broader Social Sciences field. The Social Sciences major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Archeology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Archeology graduates?
Employers hiring Archeology graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles.
What is the job outlook for Archeology graduates?
The job outlook for Archeology graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.2% job growth over the next 10 years. Anthropologist & Archaeologist is among the strongest-growth roles at +3.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Social Sciences Programs
Other programs in Social Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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