Archaeology Degree in Fresno, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Fresno, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.3 yrs
in Fresno
Cost of Living
118
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Fresno, CA Overview
Fresno is one of California's top college towns, with 37 institutions and a student population of 23,836. Public tuition averages $7,302/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 Fresno is approximately $59,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
37
Public Tuition
$7,302/yr
Private Tuition
$24,820/yr
Room & Board
$16,283/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,988/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
65%
Archaeology Salary in Fresno (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fresno's cost of living index of 118 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Fresno adjustment factor: 1.18x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Fresno
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Fresno tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,302 | Private avg: $24,820
Fresno avg aid: $12,988/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$94,340
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,700
vs HS diploma in Fresno
ROI Payback Period
5.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fresno
$118,060
Lifetime earnings premium ($212,400) minus total education cost ($94,340)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Fresno
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fresno for Archaeology
California State University, Fresno
public
$7,302/yr
$29,208 total
Fresno Pacific University
private
$36,320/yr
$145,280 total
National University Fresno
private
$13,320/yr
$53,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Fresno City College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Fresno
Fresno offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fresno Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Archaeology Job Titles
Archaeology in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Bakersfield, CA
$67K starting · COL 134
18 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Fresno
International Relations
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$57K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$59K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$52K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Fresno — 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 Fresno.