Anthropology at Iowa State University
Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
28
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,500
12.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,015
76% growth from Year 1
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
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 →