Archaeology Degree in Huntsville, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Huntsville, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$54K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.6 yrs
in Huntsville
Cost of Living
98
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Huntsville, AL Overview
Huntsville is one of Alabama's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 16,424. Public tuition averages $10,562/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 Huntsville is approximately $49,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
21
Public Tuition
$10,562/yr
Private Tuition
$35,615/yr
Room & Board
$9,972/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,465/yr
Unemployment
4.3%
Graduation Rate
51%
Archaeology Salary in Huntsville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Huntsville's cost of living index of 98 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Huntsville adjustment factor: 0.98x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Huntsville
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Huntsville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,562 | Private avg: $35,615
Huntsville avg aid: $7,465/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,136
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,700
vs HS diploma in Huntsville
ROI Payback Period
5.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Huntsville
$94,264
Lifetime earnings premium ($176,400) minus total education cost ($82,136)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Huntsville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Huntsville for Archaeology
University of Alabama in Huntsville
public
$11,100/yr
$44,400 total
Alabama A&M University
public
$10,024/yr
$40,096 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Calhoun Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Huntsville
Huntsville offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Huntsville Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Archaeology Job Titles
Archaeology in Nearby Alabama Cities
Birmingham, AL
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Montgomery, AL
$46K starting · COL 92
21 colleges
Mobile, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$39K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$52K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Huntsville
International Relations
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$49K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$43K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Huntsville — 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 Huntsville.