Archaeology Degree in Oklahoma City, OK — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Oklahoma City, OK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$53K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Oklahoma City
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Oklahoma City, OK Overview
Oklahoma City is one of Oklahoma's top college towns, with 37 institutions and a student population of 35,923. Public tuition averages $7,756/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 Oklahoma City is approximately $48,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
37
Public Tuition
$7,756/yr
Private Tuition
$31,115/yr
Room & Board
$13,112/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,650/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
65%
Archaeology Salary in Oklahoma City (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Oklahoma City's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Oklahoma City adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Oklahoma City
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Oklahoma City tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,756 | Private avg: $31,115
Oklahoma City avg aid: $12,650/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$83,472
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,550
vs HS diploma in Oklahoma City
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Oklahoma City
$91,128
Lifetime earnings premium ($174,600) minus total education cost ($83,472)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Oklahoma City
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Oklahoma City for Archaeology
University of Central Oklahoma
public
$7,756/yr
$31,024 total
Oklahoma City University
private
$35,200/yr
$140,800 total
Oklahoma Christian University
private
$27,030/yr
$108,120 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Oklahoma City Community College
$3,870/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Oklahoma City Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Archaeology Job Titles
Archaeology in Nearby Oklahoma Cities
Tulsa, OK
$42K starting · COL 84
15 colleges
Norman, OK
$43K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
Broken Arrow, OK
$46K starting · COL 91.8
5 colleges
Edmond, OK
$48K starting · COL 95.2
4 colleges
Lawton, OK
$41K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Moore, OK
$45K starting · COL 89.3
3 colleges
Midwest City, OK
$46K starting · COL 91.1
3 colleges
Stillwater, OK
$44K starting · COL 87.3
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Oklahoma City
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 Oklahoma City — 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 Oklahoma City.