Archaeology Degree in Tucson, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Archaeology degree analysis for Tucson, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in Tucson
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Archaeology in Tucson, AZ Overview
Tucson is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 21,782. Public tuition averages $7,664/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 Tucson is approximately $58,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$7,664/yr
Private Tuition
$31,536/yr
Room & Board
$18,163/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,106/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
67%
Archaeology Salary in Tucson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tucson's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Archaeology salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $68,000 senior level.Tucson adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Archaeology ROI Calculator for Tucson
Estimate your return on investment for a Archaeology degree using local Tucson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,664 | Private avg: $31,536
Tucson avg aid: $14,106/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,308
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,400
vs HS diploma in Tucson
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tucson
$105,492
Lifetime earnings premium ($208,800) minus total education cost ($103,308)
Student Loan Payoff for Archaeology in Tucson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tucson for Archaeology
University of Arizona
public
$12,748/yr
$50,992 total
Pima Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Prescott College
private
$31,536/yr
$126,144 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pima Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Archaeology in Tucson
Tucson offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Archaeology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tucson Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Archaeology Job Titles
Archaeology in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Tucson
International Relations
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$58K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$51K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Archaeology Degree in Tucson — 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 Tucson.