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Anthropology

1 schools compared · Average earnings $37,781/yr

Quick Facts: Anthropology Training

Where it's offered

Anthropology programs are offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.

Earnings expectations

Graduates earn approximately $37,781/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.

Apprenticeship pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Anthropology — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.

Program quality benchmark

Across the 1 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 45/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.

What Anthropology Graduates Do

Your study of human culture and biology opens doors to fields where understanding people is the most valuable skill. As a forensic science technician, you might spend your days in a lab, using calipers and imaging software to analyze skeletal remains and help law enforcement identify victims. Alternatively, you could become a medical scientist, working in a research setting to study how new drugs or diseases affect diverse populations, writing reports that influence public health policy. In the corporate world, many anthropologists become managers in user research, leading teams that conduct interviews and observational studies to improve product design.

Read more

Entry-level roles often begin as a lab assistant or junior researcher. With experience, you can advance to a lead technician or project manager. The highest earners, often with a graduate degree, become principal medical scientists running their own studies or directors of research, commanding six-figure salaries. Fields like forensic science are growing especially fast, offering solid career entry points. While AI may help analyze data or model artifacts, the core work of interpreting cultural context or making nuanced judgments from physical evidence remains a deeply human skill.

You may also want to compare Anthropology with International Relations, Social Sciences Studies, and Criminology on earnings and ROI.

Schools Offering
1
Avg Grad Earnings
$37,781/yr
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45/100
Apprenticeship Paths
2
View pathways ↓

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Anthropology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship Training Hours Type Salary RangeSalary Growth
Crime Scene Technician
RAPIDS 1113CB 		Competency Competency $53K – $67,440 – $89K 12.8%
Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer
RAPIDS 2073CB 		Competency Competency $100K – $136,550 – $179K 4.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Find Anthropology Programs in Your State

Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Anthropology is offered at 1 schools across 1 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.

Idaho (1)

Top Anthropology Programs Nationally

For context, here are the highest-scoring Anthropology programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.

1 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.

# School Score Earnings ROI
1 Boise State University
Boise, ID		 56
52–58		 $37,781/yr 42.0x

Highest Earning Anthropology Programs

Schools where Anthropology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School 1-Year Earnings Score
Boise State University $37,781/yr 56

Best ROI for Anthropology

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Anthropology.

School ROI Multiple Earnings Score
Boise State University 42.0x $37,781/yr 56

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Business Administration Business Liberal Arts & Humanities Rhetoric & Writing Romance Languages Computer Engineering Communication & Journalism (Other) Public Relations & Advertising

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Anthropology degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.

Compare Anthropology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Anthropology graduates earn?
Across 1 schools, Anthropology graduates earn an average of $37,781 per year in their first year after completing the program. Earnings range from $37,781 to $37,781 depending on the school.
Will AI replace Anthropology jobs?
Our analysis rates Anthropology as "Resilient" for automation risk. With 48% of tasks requiring physical presence or manual skill, a moderate share of the work in this trade remains beyond AI's reach.
Where should I study Anthropology?
Boise State University leads all 1 programs with a TradeSchoolOutlook Score of 56/100. Graduates earn $37,781/yr — the ranking weighs earnings, ROI, AI resilience, and job market size equally.
Is Anthropology worth it?
Typical graduates earn 42.0 times what they paid in tuition within a decade. This is a strong return on investment. Look at per-school ROI in the table above — averages can mask significant variation.
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, and DOL RAPIDS. Methodology & sources →