This degree program provides students with knowledge in the four major divisions of anthropology: biological anthropology, anthropological linguistics, cultural anthropology, and archaeology.

Degree Benefits:

  • Numerous opportunities for career advancement
  • Multiple vocational options (professional translation, museum curator)
  • Average annual salary for Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers is $52,140*

Career Options Include:

  • Equality and Diversity Officer
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Social Worker
  • UX Analyst

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/curators-museum-technicians-and-conservators.htm (visited Mrch 24, 2022).

Find an online bachelor's or master's degree:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You should expect to spend at least four years going to school full-time to earn your Anthropology Bachelor's Degree. Though, some universities have specialized programs that allow their students to accelerate their final two years of their degree program. These students are able to complete the final two years of their Anthropology degree in 17 months. If you choose to attend school part-time for any reason, it could take you 6 years or more to complete your degree.


No matter how you choose to attend, you'll have to complete around 120 credit hours to graduate with a bachelors in Anthropology degree. These credit hours include your general education (mathematics, history, humanities, and communications), along with your required major classes for your field.

Before choosing a major there are some important facts you should know about.


We consider the choice of major to be an important decision for students when selecting Anthropology schools or programs. Anthropology is a broad field, and it has a wide potential for developing specializations and expertise. The student should pause and study the situation carefully. It is important to connect the choice of school with the career goals and employment objectives. Students should be sure that the school is well-equipped to provide high-quality Anthropology education in the subject areas of greatest interest.


Students must look at the curriculum to determine if the subject will be covered thoroughly and in the areas of study that will be most beneficial.

An Anthropology degree will certainly require to consist of some really particular training courses. Generally, a bachelor's degree in Anthropology looks like an associate level doubled, but associates courses (the first two years) focus more on general studies. While the 3rd-5th years focus more on specific studies related to Anthropology. Below is a sample of online bachelor's degree courses so you can see the kind of curriculum that will be typically found. Universities will differ in their specific studies needs. Compare colleges very carefully on the courses they will require you to take to gain your bachelor's degree in Anthropology. Sample courses you may need:

  • General Anthropology
  • Introduction to Archaelogy
  • Ecological Anthropology
  • Applied Anthopology
  • Qualitative Methods in Social Research
  • Physical Anthropology
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Urban Anthropology
  • Social Anthropology
  • Economic Anthropology
  • Cultural Anthropology
  • Social and Cultural Change
  • Sociology of Education
  • Museuology
  • Human Ecology

About 41% of college students complete their four-year Anthropology degree on time. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center study if the question suggests that money is a large factor in the rate of non-achievement. In-state public college tuition rates have traditionally been the lower range for leading schools. Today, the annual in-state tuition average is over $9,000 per year. Private schools average more than $30,000 per year. Many students run out of money and take reduced course loads to accommodate increased work and other money-making activities. Low per-semester credit-hour rates means more time required to complete a Anthropology degree. Reducing the per semester course load from 15 to 12 credit hours can add a year to the time needed to complete a degree.


Among the reasons cited for the low rate of four-year completion were student decisions in course selection. Many students choose interesting subjects and neglect to grab key courses when available. The failure to take a required course when offered can add a semester to the completion of a major or concentration.


The student experience is a vital piece of information. The graduation rate is often a predictor of the student experience. Factors that can influence late graduation include the availability of required coursework and dropouts for financial reasons. School surveys often have information similar to customer satisfaction information on other businesses. It may be useful to see responses from recent graduates about their experiences. The student survey observations will not predict your experience, but they can lead to productive questions about the school and the Anthropology degree program.

Your school's accreditation is an important aspect of getting your Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology degree. The two most common forms of accreditation are regional and national.


Regional accreditation is the most recognized and most prestigious available. Because of this label, these colleges often have higher tuition and have more competitive admission standards. Regional accreditation accounts for over 85% of colleges across the United States. There are 6 different regions, including:


MSA (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools)

NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges)

NCA (North Central Association of Colleges and Schools)

NAC (Northwest Accreditation Commission)

SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)

WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges)


National accreditation is less common. National accreditation agencies oversee the accreditation process for career, vocational, and trade schools across the United States. As a result, these schools tend to be less expensive, require less general coursework, and feature a more practical, career-oriented curriculum. Because it is less structured, schools are only reviewed every 3-5 years to ensure that they still meet accreditation requirements.


Accreditation is an important part of the selection process. It adds value to a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology degree by offering wider acceptance than degrees from non-accredited schools receive. Accreditation ensures employers and other reviewers of your educational background that you have a quality education in Anthropology. It informs potential employers that the graduate has the expected level of education and knowledge to perform work in today's high-paced, technology-driven environments.


The Department of Education designates regional and national accreditation agencies. It is also through this department that educational loans and grants are provided to college students. The federal policy is to limit student loans to schools and colleges with acceptable accreditation. Which means that, if your school isn't accredited, you will likely not be eligible to receive any financial aid. For many students, accreditation is key to getting funds to pay for the substantial costs of a degree in Anthropology.

A four-year degree in Anthropology is an investment into your future. The cost of tuition can vary widely depending on the academic excellence of the university and the specific field of study chosen. You can expect tuition for a bachelor's degree in Anthropology to cost anywhere from $8,000-$72,000 per year. The cost of tuition for online degrees is typically the same cost as on-campus. When talking about costs, it is important to factor in textbooks, technology, as well as room and board, as those costs are separate from tuition. These are average college tuition costs and does not include financial aid. It is important for each and every student to seek out financial aid options to help pay for their college tuition.


The cost of your education is worth every penny, because it is an investment in your future. You may feel that you are investing too much money in a degree but remember that it will all come back to you. Once you get the career that you've been aiming for, you will be to pay off your student loans and live a better life.

You can't afford to take time to redraft your resume, write attention-grabbing cover letters, schedule job interviews, practice your interview skills, or parry salary offers. Not when you're student-teaching and getting ready to graduate.


That is why most universities and colleges have offices where career and placement service professionals can help you with all of the above. If your resume needs to be updated or even totally rewritten, they will help you. If you need to brush up on your interview skills, they can assist you.


Some campuses even hold professional development workshops. These may include networking skills, resume writing, and interviewing skills.