Anthropology at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,837/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI 12.9x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 178 Anthropology programs Top 1%

Program Analysis

This Anthropology program at UMD-College Park stands out nationally, largely due to its strategic location and the university's strong reputation. Being a flagship institution within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area provides unparalleled access to federal agencies, international NGOs, think tanks, and cultural institutions like the Smithsonian. These organizations actively seek candidates with the rigorous research, critical thinking, and cross-cultural understanding that an anthropology degree cultivates, leading to diverse career paths beyond traditional academia. You'll find graduates leveraging their qualitative research skills in policy analysis, program management, and even user experience (UX) research within tech firms or government contractors. While the data notes a high AI risk for the field generally, your deep understanding of human behavior and complex social systems remains invaluable. To maximize your potential, consider pairing your anthropological studies with minors or certifications in areas like data science, public health, or geographic information systems (GIS), making yourself indispensable in a rapidly evolving job market.

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 $600K $592K $534K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.0x 12.9x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.7x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 41% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,020
Out-of-state: $161,224 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,360
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,070
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,067
83% growth from Year 1

About University of Maryland-College Park

A 45% admission rate makes University of Maryland-College Park accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 30,246 students enrolled in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

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

Compare Anthropology

Other Majors at University of Maryland-College Park

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 Maryland-College Park's Anthropology program score?
This program scores 48/100 — 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 Maryland-College Park rank so high for Anthropology?
The #2 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 →