Anthropology at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Arcata, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings
$19,868/yr (-29% vs median)
AI Risk
High (47% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI
17.2x earnings multiple (6.9x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Anthropology graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $549K | $544K | $499K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 17.3x | 17.2x | 15.8x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.9x | 6.9x | 6.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 44% | 41% | 30% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 35 | 34 | 33 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,652
Out-of-state: $79,172 (6.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,986
10.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,504
134% growth from Year 1
About California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
A 99% acceptance rate means California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 5,491 in Arcata, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
$100,590/yr
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary
$95,770/yr
Compare & Explore
Anthropology at Other Schools
Other Majors at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's Anthropology program score?
This program scores 34/100 — on the lower end for Anthropology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Anthropology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Anthropology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Anthropology earnings lower at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
Lower starting pay at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →