Anthropology at Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
29
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,476/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI 10.0x earnings multiple (2.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #132 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 $468K $470K $445K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.9x 10.0x 9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.9x 2.9x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 41% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 29 29 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$47,160
Out-of-state: $161,928 (2.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,368
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,375
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,816
50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Indiana University-Bloomington's Anthropology program produces graduates earning $26,476/yr — within striking distance of the $28,155 national average for this field.

At 10.0x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $14,375 debt-to-$26,476 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #132 out of 178 programs, Indiana University-Bloomington's financial outcomes for Anthropology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,476 to $39,816 over five years (50% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Indiana University-Bloomington

A 80% acceptance rate means Indiana University-Bloomington is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 36,571 students in Bloomington, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Indiana University-Bloomington →

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 Indiana University-Bloomington

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Indiana University-Bloomington's Anthropology program score?
This program scores 29/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →