Anthropology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,978/yr (31% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI 7.7x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #19 of 178 Anthropology programs Top 25%

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 $533K $530K $488K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.7x 7.7x 7.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.7x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 41% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$68,956
Out-of-state: $144,004 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$94,076
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,154
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,715
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Rutgers University-New Brunswick's Anthropology program earn $36,978/yr in their first year — 31% above the $28,155 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Anthropology's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,154 represents roughly 8 months of the $36,978 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #19 of 178 nationally, this is a top-5% Anthropology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $36,978 to $53,715 over five years — a 45% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Rutgers University-New Brunswick

With a 65% acceptance rate, Rutgers University-New Brunswick is moderately selective, serving a student body of 36,357 in New Brunswick, NJ.

See all programs and financial aid at Rutgers University-New Brunswick →

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

Compare Anthropology

Other Majors at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Anthropology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
A score of 42/100 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 $488,278 in decade earnings vs $533,009 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Rutgers University-New Brunswick's Anthropology program stand out?
Ranked #19 of 178 programs nationally, Rutgers University-New Brunswick lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →