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Anthropology at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Albuquerque, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $31,729/yr (13% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)

ROI 13.5x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #74 of 178 Anthropology programs Top 50%

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	$433K	$438K	$421K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.3x	13.5x	13.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.1x	4.1x	4.0x
Probability of Field Employment	44%	41%	30%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	35	30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,460

Out-of-state: $105,800 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$69,912

-115% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,600

7.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$35,253

11% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $31,729 per year, Anthropology graduates from University of New Mexico-Main Campus earn slightly above the $28,155 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 13.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,600 debt-to-$31,729 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #74 out of 178 programs, University of New Mexico-Main Campus's Anthropology offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $31,729 to $35,253 over five years (11% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About University of New Mexico-Main Campus

With 95% of applicants admitted, University of New Mexico-Main Campus prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 16,686 in Albuquerque, NM.

See all programs and financial aid at University of New Mexico-Main Campus →

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 New Mexico-Main Campus

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of New Mexico-Main Campus's Anthropology program score?

This program scores 35/100 — 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 →