Archaeology Degree in Charleston, SC — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Charleston, SC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$57K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Charleston
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Charleston, SC Overview
Charleston, South Carolina (pop. 150,277) has 9 colleges offering Archaeology programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,168/month. Although national enrollment in Archaeology has been declining, graduates with skills in Excavation and Artifact Analysis remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Charleston is approximately $51,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$13,659/yr
Private Tuition
$29,969/yr
Room & Board
$12,112/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,774/yr
Unemployment
6.2%
Graduation Rate
62%
Archaeology Salary in Charleston (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Charleston's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Charleston adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Charleston
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Charleston tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,659 | Private avg: $29,969
Charleston avg aid: $7,774/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,084
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,450
vs HS diploma in Charleston
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Charleston
$82,316
Lifetime earnings premium ($185,400) minus total education cost ($103,084)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Charleston
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Charleston for Archaeology
College of Charleston
public
$12,622/yr
$50,488 total
The Citadel
public
$14,696/yr
$58,784 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Trident Technical College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Charleston
Charleston offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Charleston Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Archaeology Job Titles
Archaeology in Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other Social Sciences Majors in Charleston
International Relations
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Charleston — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Archaeology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Charleston.