Anthropology at University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings
$27,221/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk
High (47% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI
11.0x earnings multiple (3.7x 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 | $484K | $484K | $455K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.0x | 11.0x | 10.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.7x | 3.7x | 3.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 44% | 41% | 30% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 32 | 31 | 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)
$43,856
Out-of-state: $131,708 (3.7x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
10.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,460
56% growth from Year 1
About University of Iowa
A 85% acceptance rate means University of Iowa is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 21,691 in Iowa City, IA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Iowa →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 Iowa
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 Iowa's Anthropology program score?
This program scores 31/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →