Anthropology Degree in Gilbert, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Anthropology degree analysis for Gilbert, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in Gilbert
Cost of Living
119
index (100 = avg)
Anthropology in Gilbert, AZ Overview
Gilbert is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 26 institutions and a student population of 27,183. Public tuition averages $11,758/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 Gilbert is approximately $59,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
26
Public Tuition
$11,758/yr
Private Tuition
$26,400/yr
Room & Board
$19,092/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,808/yr
Unemployment
4.9%
Graduation Rate
49%
Anthropology Salary in Gilbert (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Gilbert's cost of living index of 119 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Anthropology salary: $50,000 starting, $58,000 mid-career, $72,000 senior level.Gilbert adjustment factor: 1.19x based on the local cost of living index.
Anthropology ROI Calculator for Gilbert
Estimate your return on investment for a Anthropology degree using local Gilbert tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,758 | Private avg: $26,400
Gilbert avg aid: $12,808/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,400
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,850
vs HS diploma in Gilbert
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Gilbert
$114,600
Lifetime earnings premium ($238,000) minus total education cost ($123,400)
Student Loan Payoff for Anthropology in Gilbert
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Gilbert for Anthropology
University of Advancing Technology Gilbert
private
$26,400/yr
$105,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Anthropology in Gilbert
Gilbert offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Anthropology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Gilbert Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Anthropology Job Titles
Anthropology in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Gilbert
International Relations
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$57K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$60K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$60K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$52K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Anthropology Degree in Gilbert — 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 Gilbert.