Anthropology at University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
29
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$23,152/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk
High (47% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI
9.1x earnings multiple (2.9x 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 | $536K | $533K | $490K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.2x | 9.1x | 8.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.0x | 2.9x | 2.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 44% | 41% | 30% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 30 | 29 | 27 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,240
Out-of-state: $181,348 (2.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,035
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,407
105% growth from Year 1
About University of California-Santa Cruz
University of California-Santa Cruz accepts 63% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 17,812 in Santa Cruz, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Santa Cruz →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 University of California-Santa Cruz
Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does University of California-Santa Cruz's Anthropology program score?
This program scores 29/100 — on the lower end for Anthropology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Anthropology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Anthropology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Anthropology earnings lower at University of California-Santa Cruz?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Santa Cruz may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →