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Social Sciences · Anthropology Rank #155 of 178

Anthropologyat Kansas State University

Graduates earn $18,567/yr in their first year — about 34.0% below the national Anthropology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $378K; scenarios range from $377K to $368K depending on AI disruption.

Manhattan, KS Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
26 AT RISK
26
Optimistic
24
Pessimistic
Earnings
$18,567
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$378K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Kansas State University

Your anthropology degree from K-State offers a rich foundation in human culture and critical thinking, highly valued in many fields. However, the labor market in and around Manhattan, KS, may not present an abundance of direct, high-paying roles for new anthropology graduates, which can influence initial earnings. Many graduates often find themselves in non-profit, local government, or general business roles where the degree's value is in its versatile skill set rather than a specific job title. While higher-earning paths like medical science or academia are possible, they almost universally require extensive graduate-level education and competitive entry. To maximize your prospects, actively seek internships that apply your skills in practical settings – perhaps in data analysis, community development, or cultural resource management – and consider a complementary minor in business or a technical field to broaden your direct career opportunities.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$377K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple8.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$378K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score26/100
Earnings Multiple8.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$368K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score26/100
Earnings Multiple8.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Kansas State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Anthropology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
3
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary
+2.7% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$95,770/yr
High
4
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
+2.4% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$84,290/yr
High
5
Forensic science technicians
+12.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$67,440/yr
Moderate
6
Anthropologists and archeologists
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 800 openings/yr
$64,910/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Anthropology

How Kansas State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Southern Methodist University
TX · Private nonprofit
44
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Monmouth University
NJ · Private nonprofit
41
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
37
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
1.4x
ROI
Southern New Hampshire University
NH · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
5.4x
ROI
Fordham University
NY · Private nonprofit
33
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
1.2x
ROI
Also at Kansas State University

Other top programs at Kansas State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Kansas State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Anthropology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Anthropology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Anthropology at Kansas State University

What does a 26/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Anthropology at Kansas State University?

At 26/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Anthropology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

What's the payoff timeline for a Anthropology degree from Kansas State University?

At $20,500 in median debt, graduates carry 13 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.

Should I worry about AI if I study Anthropology at Kansas State University?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Kansas State University a good choice for Anthropology despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Kansas State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.