Anthropology Degree in Boise, ID — Salary & ROI 2026
Anthropology degree analysis for Boise, ID. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Boise
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Anthropology in Boise, ID Overview
Boise is one of Idaho's top college towns, with 27 institutions and a student population of 13,506. Public tuition averages $8,060/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Although national enrollment in Anthropology has been declining, graduates with skills in Ethnography and Fieldwork remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Boise is approximately $60,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
27
Public Tuition
$8,060/yr
Private Tuition
$34,250/yr
Room & Board
$13,521/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,294/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
58%
Anthropology Salary in Boise (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Boise's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Anthropology salary: $50,000 starting, $58,000 mid-career, $72,000 senior level.Boise adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Anthropology ROI Calculator for Boise
Estimate your return on investment for a Anthropology degree using local Boise tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,060 | Private avg: $34,250
Boise avg aid: $15,294/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,150
vs HS diploma in Boise
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Boise
$155,676
Lifetime earnings premium ($242,000) minus total education cost ($86,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Anthropology in Boise
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Boise for Anthropology
Boise State University
public
$8,060/yr
$32,240 total
College of Idaho
private
$34,250/yr
$137,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
College of Western Idaho
$3,456/yr
Top Employers for Anthropology in Boise
Boise offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Anthropology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Boise Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Anthropology Job Titles
Anthropology in Nearby Idaho Cities
Meridian, ID
$52K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Nampa, ID
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Idaho Falls, ID
$46K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Caldwell, ID
$46K starting · COL 92.8
3 colleges
Pocatello, ID
$59K starting · COL 118
6 colleges
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$53K starting · COL 105.2
3 colleges
Twin Falls, ID
$63K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Boise
International Relations
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$61K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$61K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Anthropology Degree in Boise — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Anthropology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Boise.