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Anthropology at University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,059/yr (-0% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 9.4x earnings multiple (3.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #46 of 178 Anthropology programs Top 50%

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	$578K	$571K	$519K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.5x	9.4x	8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.1x	3.1x	2.8x
Probability of Field Employment	44%	41%	30%
DegreeOutlook Score	37	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)

$60,988

Out-of-state: $184,096 (3.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$61,152

-0% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,000

6.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,777

99% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,059 track close to the $28,155 national median for Anthropology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.4x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

At $14,000 in median debt against $28,059 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #46 of 178 Anthropology programs, University of California-Davis scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $55,777 show a 99% jump from the $28,059 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-Davis

With a 42% acceptance rate, University of California-Davis is moderately selective, with 31,777 students enrolled in Davis, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Davis →

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 University of California-Davis

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 University of California-Davis?

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 $518,557 in decade earnings vs $578,036 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →