Archaeology Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of past human cultures through excavation and analysis of material remains.
Starting Salary
$38K
median
Mid-Career
$55K
salary
ROI Payback
7.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
5%
rate
Archaeology Overview
Study of past human cultures through excavation and analysis of material remains.
Category
Social Sciences
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
58%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
38%
Lifetime Premium
$180K
Female Graduates
50%
Archaeology Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$16,200
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$16,200
after scholarships
ROI Payback
5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$163,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($180,000) minus net degree cost ($16,200)
Archaeology Salary Progression
Common Archaeology Careers
Archaeologist
CRM Specialist
Museum Curator
Field Director
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Archaeology
#1
University of Michigan
#2
University of Chicago
#3
Harvard
#4
UC Berkeley
#5
Brown
Related Majors
Archaeology Degree FAQ
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