Archaeology Degree in Irving, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Irving, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$57K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5 yrs
in Irving
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Irving, TX Overview
Irving is one of Texas's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 13,394. Public tuition averages $7,612/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 Irving is approximately $52,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$7,612/yr
Private Tuition
$44,780/yr
Room & Board
$11,777/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,860/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
47%
Archaeology Salary in Irving (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Irving's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Irving adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Irving
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Irving tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,612 | Private avg: $44,780
Irving avg aid: $12,860/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$77,556
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,600
vs HS diploma in Irving
ROI Payback Period
5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Irving
$109,644
Lifetime earnings premium ($187,200) minus total education cost ($77,556)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Irving
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Irving for Archaeology
University of Dallas
private
$44,780/yr
$179,120 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
North Lake College
$2,220/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Irving
Irving offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Irving Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Archaeology Job Titles
Archaeology in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$58K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$60K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$52K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$54K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$51K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$47K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$47K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$41K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Irving
International Relations
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Irving — 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 Irving.