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Anthropology at Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,071/yr (42% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)

ROI 1.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #67 of 178 Anthropology programs Top 50%

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	$478K	$479K	$451K
Earnings Multiple	1.8x	1.8x	1.7x
Probability of Field Employment	44%	41%	30%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	36	30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$262,956

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$114,476

56% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,363

4.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $40,071 per year, Anthropology graduates from Dartmouth College significantly outpace the $28,155 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The financial case is thin at 1.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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.

The median debt load of $14,363 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #67 of 178 Anthropology programs, Dartmouth College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Dartmouth College

With just 6% of applicants admitted, Dartmouth College ranks among the nation's most selective schools, a compact campus enrolling 4,367 students in Hanover, NH. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $114,476 — 56% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Dartmouth College →

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 Dartmouth College

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 Dartmouth College?

A score of 36/100 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 $451,217 in decade earnings vs $477,892 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Dartmouth College a hidden gem for Anthropology?

After financial aid, the average student pays $114,476 over four years — 56% below the $262,956 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →