Anthropology at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,351/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #99 of 178 Anthropology programs

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 $480K $481K $452K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.1x 17.1x 16.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.3x 6.4x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 41% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,032
Out-of-state: $75,552 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,724
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,229
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,659
77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $22,351 place California State University-Long Beach below the $28,155 national median for Anthropology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Anthropology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Anthropology's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $11,229 represents roughly 6 months of the $22,351 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #99 of 178 Anthropology programs, California State University-Long Beach falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $39,659 show a 77% jump from the $22,351 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Long Beach

A 47% admission rate makes California State University-Long Beach accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 34,131 in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary $95,770/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Anthropology at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Long Beach

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Anthropology at California State University-Long Beach?
A score of 32/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Anthropology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Anthropology careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $452,333 in decade earnings vs $479,553 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Anthropology from California State University-Long Beach?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →