Archaeology Degree in Murfreesboro, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Murfreesboro, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$50K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Murfreesboro, TN Overview
Murfreesboro, Tennessee (pop. 152,769) has 10 colleges offering Archaeology programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,003/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 Murfreesboro is approximately $45,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$43,809/yr
Room & Board
$13,946/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,072/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
53%
Archaeology Salary in Murfreesboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Murfreesboro's cost of living index of 91 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Murfreesboro adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Murfreesboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Murfreesboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $43,809
Murfreesboro avg aid: $16,072/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,032
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,650
vs HS diploma in Murfreesboro
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Murfreesboro
$70,768
Lifetime earnings premium ($163,800) minus total education cost ($93,032)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Murfreesboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Murfreesboro for Archaeology
Middle Tennessee State University
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Motlow State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Murfreesboro Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Archaeology Job Titles
Archaeology in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$46K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$47K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$43K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$40K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$45K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Franklin, TN
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$53K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Murfreesboro
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
$40K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Murfreesboro — 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 Murfreesboro.