Archaeology Degree in Mesquite, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Mesquite, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$51K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7 yrs
in Mesquite
Cost of Living
92.3
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Mesquite, TX Overview
Mesquite, Texas (pop. 150,108) has 6 colleges offering Archaeology programs. The local cost of living index of 92.3 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $720/month. 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 Mesquite is approximately $46,150.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$10,900/yr
Private Tuition
$36,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,260/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,026/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
58%
Archaeology Salary in Mesquite (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Mesquite's cost of living index of 92.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Mesquite adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Mesquite
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Mesquite tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000
Mesquite avg aid: $8,026/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$96,640
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,845
vs HS diploma in Mesquite
ROI Payback Period
7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Mesquite
$69,500
Lifetime earnings premium ($166,140) minus total education cost ($96,640)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Mesquite
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Mesquite for Archaeology
Mesquite State University
public
$10,808/yr
$43,232 total
University of Mesquite
public
$11,881/yr
$47,524 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Mesquite Community College
$5,670/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Mesquite
Mesquite offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Mesquite 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 Mesquite
International Relations
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$44K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$46K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$46K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$46K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$41K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Mesquite — 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 Mesquite.