Anthropology Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of human societies, cultures, and their development throughout history.
Starting Salary
$38K
median
Mid-Career
$58K
salary
ROI Payback
7 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
5%
rate
Anthropology Overview
Study of human societies, cultures, and their development throughout history.
Category
Social Sciences
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
58%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
40%
Lifetime Premium
$200K
Female Graduates
62%
Anthropology Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$16,200
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$16,200
after scholarships
ROI Payback
5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$183,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($200,000) minus net degree cost ($16,200)
Anthropology Salary Progression
Common Anthropology Careers
Anthropologist
Museum Curator
Cultural Resource Manager
UX Researcher
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Anthropology
#1
Harvard
#2
University of Michigan
#3
UC Berkeley
#4
University of Chicago
#5
Columbia
Related Majors
Anthropology Degree FAQ
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