Anthropology

Social SciencesBachelor's4 Years

Human cultures, societies, biological evolution, and archaeological research.

Who It's For

Good Fit

You are endlessly curious about human cultures, past and present, and want to understand the full diversity of human experience. If you enjoy travel, learning languages, fieldwork, and asking questions about why different societies develop different customs, anthropology offers a broad, intellectually stimulating path. Students who are open-minded, observant, and comfortable with ambiguity excel here.

×Consider Alternatives

If you want a degree with a clear, direct career path, anthropology's academic focus means most graduates pursue graduate school or pivot into related fields. Students who prefer quantitative analysis over qualitative fieldwork and ethnographic writing may find the methods less satisfying.

How Your High School Classes Connect

How much each subject matters in this degree

History
Important
English
Important
Biology
Helpful
Foreign Language
Helpful
Math
Minor

Common Coursework

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
IntroReq

Study human cultures worldwide — kinship, ritual, economy, and how societies organize themselves.

Introduction to Physical Anthropology
ModerateReq

Examine human biology, primate behavior, forensic identification, and skeletal analysis.

Archaeology
ModerateReq

Excavate and analyze artifacts, ruins, and material remains to reconstruct past societies.

Linguistic Anthropology
ModerateReq

Study how language shapes culture, identity, and power across different human societies.

Ethnographic Methods
DemandingReq

Learn to conduct fieldwork — participant observation, interviews, and writing about other cultures.

Anthropological Theory
ToughReq

Read key theorists — Boas, Lévi-Strauss, Geertz — who shaped how we study culture.

Statistics for Social Sciences
ModerateElec

Apply statistical tests to survey and observational data in social science research.

Human Evolution
ToughElec

Trace the fossil record and genetics of human ancestors from early primates to modern humans.

Medical Anthropology
ModerateElec

Study how different cultures understand illness, healing practices, and healthcare systems.

Anthropology of Religion
ModerateElec

Compare religious beliefs, rituals, and spiritual practices across cultures using anthropological theory.

Regional Ethnography
ModerateElec

Study one world region in depth — its peoples, cultures, histories, and current challenges.

Common Next Steps

PhD in AnthropologyMaster's in Public HealthMaster's in Museum Studies

Brightest = most common path

Job Market Outlook

5/9related careers have positive growth outlook
Moderate Growth×4Declining×2Stable×2Strong Growth×1

Is Anthropology right for you?

Take our free 20-minute assessment to find out if anthropology matches your personality, interests, and strengths.

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