Anthropologyat University of Maryland-College Park
Graduates earn $33,837/yr in their first year — about 20.0% above the national Anthropology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $592K; scenarios range from $534K to $600K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Maryland-College Park
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.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Maryland-College Park's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Anthropology
How University of Maryland-College Park stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Maryland-College Park
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Maryland-College Park, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Anthropology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Anthropology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Anthropology at University of Maryland-College Park
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.