Anthropology at University of Massachusetts-Boston

Boston, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
45
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,565/yr (30% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #7 of 178 Anthropology programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

The strong outcomes for UMass-Boston Anthropology graduates highlight the value of human-centered skills in a dynamic urban environment. Your training in cultural analysis, qualitative research, and critical thinking is highly sought after across Boston's diverse economy. Many graduates leverage these abilities in roles like UX research within tech firms, community engagement for public health initiatives, or organizational development in non-profits and government agencies. Boston’s robust healthcare, biotech, and education sectors, alongside a thriving non-profit scene, provide fertile ground for anthropologists who can understand complex human systems. This program's performance likely reflects strong faculty connections and an emphasis on applied research, preparing you for management and research roles that demand nuanced understanding of human behavior. Given the evolving job market, actively pursuing internships and networking within Boston's varied industries is crucial to translate your unique skillset into these impactful careers.

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 $560K $555K $507K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.0x 9.0x 8.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.7x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 41% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 45 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,984
Out-of-state: $148,696 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,128
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,750
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,722
58% growth from Year 1

About University of Massachusetts-Boston

A 83% acceptance rate means University of Massachusetts-Boston is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 11,848 in Boston, MA. Pell Grant recipients make up 43% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Boston →

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 Massachusetts-Boston

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 Massachusetts-Boston's Anthropology program score?
This program scores 45/100 — 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 Massachusetts-Boston rank so high for Anthropology?
The #7 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 →