Archaeology Degree in Rancho Cucamonga, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Rancho Cucamonga, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$65K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Rancho Cucamonga
Cost of Living
130.5
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Rancho Cucamonga, CA Overview
Rancho Cucamonga, California (pop. 177,603) has 7 colleges offering Archaeology programs. The local cost of living index of 130.5 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,770/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 Rancho Cucamonga is approximately $65,250.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,368/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,696/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
50%
Archaeology Salary in Rancho Cucamonga (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rancho Cucamonga's cost of living index of 130.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Rancho Cucamonga adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Rancho Cucamonga
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Rancho Cucamonga tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Rancho Cucamonga avg aid: $13,696/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,472
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,575
vs HS diploma in Rancho Cucamonga
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rancho Cucamonga
$111,428
Lifetime earnings premium ($234,900) minus total education cost ($123,472)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Rancho Cucamonga
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rancho Cucamonga for Archaeology
Rancho Cucamonga State University
public
$14,832/yr
$59,328 total
University of Rancho Cucamonga
public
$15,603/yr
$62,412 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rancho Cucamonga Community College
$6,383/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga
International Relations
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$63K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$65K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$65K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$65K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$57K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Rancho Cucamonga — 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 Rancho Cucamonga.