Archaeology Degree in Moreno Valley, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Moreno Valley, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.5 yrs
in Moreno Valley
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Moreno Valley, CA Overview
Moreno Valley is one of California's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 16,700. Public tuition averages $1,540/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 Moreno Valley is approximately $58,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$1,540/yr
Private Tuition
$49,569/yr
Room & Board
$13,649/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,124/yr
Unemployment
6.1%
Graduation Rate
51%
Archaeology Salary in Moreno Valley (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Moreno Valley's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Moreno Valley adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Moreno Valley
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Moreno Valley tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $1,540 | Private avg: $49,569
Moreno Valley avg aid: $9,124/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$60,756
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,400
vs HS diploma in Moreno Valley
ROI Payback Period
3.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Moreno Valley
$148,044
Lifetime earnings premium ($208,800) minus total education cost ($60,756)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Moreno Valley
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Moreno Valley for Archaeology
Riverside University Health System
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Moreno Valley College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Moreno Valley 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
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 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
Other Social Sciences Majors in Moreno Valley
International Relations
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$58K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$51K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Moreno Valley — 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 Moreno Valley.