Anthropology graduates earn $46,676 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,056 and $63,905. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Anthropology as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Social Sciences and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Anthropology is a focused area of study within Social Sciences. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $46,676 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 589 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 10,899 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$27,806
Median Earnings · 4yr
$46,676
Colleges Offering
589
Graduates / Year
10,899
Avg Net Price / yr
$16,925
How Much Do Anthropology Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Anthropology, a typical graduate earns $46,676, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $32,056 and $63,905, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $27,806 at one year out to $46,676 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$46,676
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$45,920
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Anthropology graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$32,05625th pct.
$46,676Median
$63,90575th pct.
Understanding the Cost vs. Return
At median 4-year earnings of $46,676 and an estimated $67,700 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 4.1 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.
Based on outcomes from 465 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 10,899 students who complete Anthropology programs each year, the majority (78%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
78%
Bachelor's78%
Master's10%
Associate's8%
What Can You Do With an Anthropology Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Anthropology graduates show up in 5 different occupations, and Medical Scientists pay the most at $103,410/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Doctoral or professional degree10,500 openings/yr172K employed nationally
WritingActive LearningScienceSpeakingJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.
Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
Teach courses in anthropology or archeology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Advise students on academic and vocational curricula, career issues, and laboratory and field research.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as research methods, urban anthropology, and language and culture.
Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group, such as Latin American studies, women's studies, or urban affairs. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.
Collect information and make judgments through observation, interviews, and review of documents.
Teach or mentor undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology or archeology.
Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences.
Top Colleges for Anthropology
Not sure where to study Anthropology? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Anthropology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Social Sciences Programs
Anthropology is not the only path through Social Sciences: 12 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Anthropology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Anthropology carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 4 strengths and 3 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $27,806 at graduation to $46,676 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +13.3% over the next decade, with Forensic Science Technicians among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 15,500 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 589 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $46,676 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($32,056) and 75th ($63,905) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Anthropology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Anthropology graduates earn?
$46,676 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $32,056 and $63,905, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for an Anthropology degree?
$27,806 in the first year out. That grows to $46,676 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with an Anthropology degree?
Medical Scientists are one path, and it pays a median of $103,410 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does an Anthropology program take?
Four years of full-time study for an Anthropology bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Anthropology?
589 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is an Anthropology degree worth it?
$46,676 median earnings four years out against $16,925 a year in average net price. That is a slow payback, so cost matters more than usual here: a cheaper school changes the answer. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Anthropology and Social Sciences?
Anthropology is the narrower of the two: Social Sciences covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Anthropology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Anthropology graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Anthropology graduates consistently look for research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
What is the job outlook for Anthropology graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +7.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Forensic Science Technicians are among the strongest-growth roles at +13.3%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Social Sciences Programs
Other programs in Social Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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