Classical and Ancient Studies graduates earn $50,477 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,140 and $68,542. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Classical and Ancient Studies is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduates typically earn around $50,477 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 77 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 290 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$32,054
Median Earnings · 4yr
$50,477
Colleges Offering
77
Graduates / Year
290
Avg Net Price / yr
$24,120
How Much Do Classical and Ancient Studies Graduates Earn?
Classical and Ancient Studies graduates earn $50,477 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,140 and $68,542. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $32,054 climbs to $50,477 by year four.
$32,054
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$50,477
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$40,615
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 Classical and Ancient Studies graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.
$34,14025th pct.
$50,477Median
$68,54275th pct.
Understanding the Cost vs. Return
At median 4-year earnings of $50,477 and an estimated $96,480 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 4.7 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.
Based on outcomes from 70 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 290 students who complete Classical and Ancient Studies programs each year, the majority (84%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
84%
Bachelor's84%
Master's8%
Doctorate8%
What Can You Do With a Classical and Ancient Studies Degree?
Classical and Ancient Studies connects to 4 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.
Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group, such as Latin American studies, women's studies, or urban affairs. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as ancient history, postwar civilizations, and the history of third-world countries.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
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 Classical and Ancient Studies
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Classical and Ancient Studies students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Classical and Ancient Studies graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Classical and Ancient Studies is one of 39 specializations within Interdisciplinary Studies. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Classical and Ancient Studies program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Classical and Ancient Studies shows 1 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $32,054 at graduation to $50,477 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $50,477 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
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.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($34,140) and 75th ($68,542) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Classical and Ancient Studies Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Classical and Ancient Studies graduates earn?
Classical and Ancient Studies graduates earn a national median of $50,477 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,140 and $68,542. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Classical and Ancient Studies degree?
One year after graduation, Classical and Ancient Studies degree holders earn a median of $32,054. That climbs to $50,477 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Classical and Ancient Studies degree?
Classical and Ancient Studies 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 Classical and Ancient Studies program take?
A Classical and Ancient Studies 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 Classical and Ancient Studies?
77 colleges and universities in the United States offer Classical and Ancient Studies programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Classical and Ancient Studies degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $50,477 and an average net price of roughly $24,120/yr, a Classical and Ancient Studies 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 Classical and Ancient Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Classical and Ancient Studies is a focused concentration within the broader Interdisciplinary Studies field. The Interdisciplinary Studies major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Classical and Ancient Studies-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 Classical and Ancient Studies graduates?
Employers hiring Classical and Ancient Studies graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the job outlook for Classical and Ancient Studies graduates?
The job outlook for Classical and Ancient Studies graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +2.2% 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 Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Other programs in Interdisciplinary Studies. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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H
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