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Anthropology at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,014/yr (-11% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 11.9x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #114 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	$501K	$501K	$467K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.9x	11.9x	11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.5x	4.5x	4.2x
Probability of Field Employment	44%	41%	30%
DegreeOutlook Score	32	31	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$41,988

Out-of-state: $110,732 (4.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,660

-73% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,500

12.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,015

76% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $25,014/yr, roughly in line with the $28,155 national median for Anthropology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 11.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,500 debt load exceeds a year of the $25,014 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #114 out of 178 programs, Iowa State University's financial outcomes for Anthropology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,014 to $44,015 over five years (76% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 25,033 in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa State University →

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 Iowa State University

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 Iowa State University's Anthropology program score?

This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Anthropology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Iowa State University Anthropology graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

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 →