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Anthropology at University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
36
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,543/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #60 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 $558K $552K $505K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.1x 9.0x 8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.0x 3.0x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 41% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 36 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,060
Out-of-state: $184,168 (3.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,000
23% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,500
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,445
87% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-San Diego's Anthropology program produces graduates earning $28,543/yr — within striking distance of the $28,155 national average for this field.

A 9.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Anthropology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,500 in median debt clears quickly against $28,543 in annual earnings.

A #60 ranking among 178 Anthropology programs places University of California-San Diego in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $28,543-to-$53,445 earnings arc over five years reflects a 87% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-San Diego

Admission to University of California-San Diego is competitive, with 25% of applicants accepted, one of the larger campuses at 33,787 students in La Jolla, CA.

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

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

Compare this program → View all 178 schools offering Anthropology →

Anthropology at Other Schools

Southern Methodist University ($56,550) Monmouth University ($46,302) Duke University ($43,924) Southern New Hampshire University ($41,986) Fordham University ($40,384) Dartmouth College ($40,071) CUNY Lehman College ($38,879) George Mason University ($37,081)

Other Majors at University of California-San Diego

Computer Science ($112,006) Computer Engineering ($96,256) Mathematics and Computer Science ($89,651) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,687) Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology ($76,592) Mechanical Engineering ($69,555) Biological/Biosystems Engineering ($67,016) Civil Engineering ($65,478)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Anthropology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Anthropology at University of California-San Diego?
At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Anthropology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Anthropology at University of California-San Diego?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →