Archaeology Degree in Santa Clarita, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Santa Clarita, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$74K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$81K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.6 yrs
in Santa Clarita
Cost of Living
148.1
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Santa Clarita, CA Overview
Santa Clarita, California (pop. 228,673) has 9 colleges offering Archaeology programs. The local cost of living index of 148.1 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,100/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 Santa Clarita is approximately $74,050.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,381/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,814/yr
Unemployment
5.5%
Graduation Rate
66%
Archaeology Salary in Santa Clarita (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Santa Clarita's cost of living index of 148.1 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Santa Clarita adjustment factor: 1.48x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Santa Clarita
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Santa Clarita tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Santa Clarita avg aid: $11,814/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,524
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,215
vs HS diploma in Santa Clarita
ROI Payback Period
5.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Santa Clarita
$143,056
Lifetime earnings premium ($266,580) minus total education cost ($123,524)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Santa Clarita
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Santa Clarita for Archaeology
Santa Clarita State University
public
$13,263/yr
$53,052 total
University of Santa Clarita
public
$16,216/yr
$64,864 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Santa Clarita Community College
$6,330/yr
California Technical College - Santa Clarita
$5,900/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita
International Relations
$74K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$71K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$74K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$74K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$74K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$74K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$65K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$74K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Santa Clarita — 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 Santa Clarita.