Anthropology at University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,648/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI 8.4x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #92 of 178 Anthropology programs

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 $484K $484K $455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.4x 8.4x 7.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.1x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 41% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,352
Out-of-state: $117,440 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,252
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,747
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,648 at University of Illinois Chicago come in 9% above the national median of $28,155 for Anthropology programs.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.4x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $30,648 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #92 of 178 Anthropology programs, University of Illinois Chicago falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $30,648 to $43,747 over five years — a 43% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Illinois Chicago

University of Illinois Chicago accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 21,814 students enrolled in Chicago, IL. With 50% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Chicago →

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 Illinois Chicago

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 University of Illinois Chicago?
A score of 33/100 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 $455,129 in decade earnings vs $483,709 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →