Classics Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of ancient Greek and Roman languages, literature, history, and civilization.
Starting Salary
$38K
median
Mid-Career
$60K
salary
ROI Payback
8 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
5%
rate
Classics Overview
Study of ancient Greek and Roman languages, literature, history, and civilization.
Category
Humanities
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
62%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
42%
Lifetime Premium
$160K
Female Graduates
48%
Classics Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,000
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,000
after scholarships
ROI Payback
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$142,000
Lifetime earnings premium ($160,000) minus net degree cost ($18,000)
Classics Salary Progression
Common Classics Careers
Professor
Museum Curator
Archivist
Translator
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Classics
#1
Harvard
#2
Princeton
#3
Yale
#4
Stanford
#5
University of Chicago
Related Majors
Classics Degree FAQ
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