Archaeology Degree in Chandler, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Chandler, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$62K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$68K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.2 yrs
in Chandler
Cost of Living
124
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Chandler, AZ Overview
Chandler is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 21,913. Public tuition averages $9,605/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Although national enrollment in Archaeology has been declining, graduates with skills in Excavation and Artifact Analysis remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Chandler is approximately $62,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$9,605/yr
Private Tuition
$26,400/yr
Room & Board
$14,478/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,385/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Archaeology Salary in Chandler (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chandler's cost of living index of 124 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Chandler adjustment factor: 1.24x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Chandler
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Chandler tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,605 | Private avg: $26,400
Chandler avg aid: $11,385/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$96,332
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,600
vs HS diploma in Chandler
ROI Payback Period
5.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chandler
$126,868
Lifetime earnings premium ($223,200) minus total education cost ($96,332)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Chandler
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chandler for Archaeology
University of Advancing Technology
private
$26,400/yr
$105,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Chandler
Chandler offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chandler Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Archaeology Job Titles
Archaeology 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
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 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 Chandler
International Relations
$62K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$62K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$62K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$62K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$62K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$55K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$62K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Chandler — 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 Archaeology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Chandler.