Archaeology Degree in Santa Fe, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Santa Fe, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Santa Fe
Cost of Living
118
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Santa Fe, NM Overview
Santa Fe, New Mexico (pop. 87,505) has 7 colleges offering Archaeology programs. The local cost of living index of 118 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,028/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 Fe is approximately $59,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$13,566/yr
Private Tuition
$38,206/yr
Room & Board
$15,986/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,970/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
65%
Archaeology Salary in Santa Fe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Santa Fe's cost of living index of 118 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Santa Fe adjustment factor: 1.18x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Santa Fe
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Santa Fe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,566 | Private avg: $38,206
Santa Fe avg aid: $11,970/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$118,208
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,700
vs HS diploma in Santa Fe
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Santa Fe
$94,192
Lifetime earnings premium ($212,400) minus total education cost ($118,208)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Santa Fe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Santa Fe for Archaeology
St. John's College
private
$38,206/yr
$152,824 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Santa Fe Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Santa Fe
Santa Fe offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Santa Fe Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Archaeology Job Titles
Archaeology in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Social Sciences Majors in Santa Fe
International Relations
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$57K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$59K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$59K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$52K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$59K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Santa Fe — 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 Fe.