Anthropology at Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,617/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk
High (47% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI
9.0x earnings multiple (3.3x 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 | $581K | $574K | $520K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.1x | 9.0x | 8.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.3x | 3.3x | 3.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 44% | 41% | 30% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 38 | 37 | 33 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (3.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,750
11.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,484
97% growth from Year 1
About Michigan State University
A 84% acceptance rate means Michigan State University is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 40,243 in East Lansing, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Michigan 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 Michigan 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
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Anthropology at Michigan State University?
A score of 37/100 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 $520,474 in decade earnings vs $580,887 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →