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Anthropology at University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,822/yr (31% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 7.7x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #33 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	$510K	$509K	$473K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	7.8x	7.7x	7.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.0x	3.0x	2.8x
Probability of Field Employment	44%	41%	30%
DegreeOutlook Score	41	40	34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$65,720

Out-of-state: $167,772 (3.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$85,920

-31% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,583

6.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$49,958

36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Colorado Boulder Anthropology graduates command $36,822/yr out of the gate, well above the $28,155 national median. That 31% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

At 7.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,583 debt-to-$36,822 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #33 out of 178 programs, University of Colorado Boulder's Anthropology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,822 to $49,958 shows 36% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Colorado Boulder

A 83% acceptance rate means University of Colorado Boulder is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 31,578 in Boulder, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Colorado Boulder →

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 Colorado Boulder

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

How does University of Colorado Boulder's Anthropology program score?

This program scores 40/100 — 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 does University of Colorado Boulder rank so high for Anthropology?

The #33 ranking out of 178 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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