Home Schools University of Virginia Anthropology
Social Sciences · Anthropology Rank #69 of 178

Anthropologyat University of Virginia-Main Campus

Graduates earn $30,609/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Anthropology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $558K; scenarios range from $509K to $564K depending on AI disruption.

Charlottesville, VA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
36 AT RISK
36
Optimistic
31
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,609
1-year post-graduation
ROI
5.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$558K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Virginia

Earning an Anthropology degree from a selective institution like UVA means you're not just learning a subject; you're developing high-level critical thinking, qualitative research, and cross-cultural communication skills. These are incredibly valuable, often sought after by employers who value adaptable problem-solvers. The career paths reflect this versatility, with many graduates leveraging their analytical abilities into management roles across various sectors, from tech to non-profits, or pursuing specialized research, sometimes in public health given UVA's strong medical center. Your degree acts as a strong signal of intellectual capability, opening doors that might be closed to graduates from less selective programs. To truly capitalize on this foundation, actively seek out internships or projects that let you apply your anthropological lens to real-world organizational challenges, building a portfolio that demonstrates your translational skills.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$509K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple6.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$558K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple6.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$564K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple6.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Virginia's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Anthropology graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
3
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary
+2.7% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$95,770/yr
High
4
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
+2.4% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$84,290/yr
High
5
Forensic science technicians
+12.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$67,440/yr
Moderate
6
Anthropologists and archeologists
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 800 openings/yr
$64,910/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Anthropology

How University of Virginia stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Southern Methodist University
TX · Private nonprofit
44
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Monmouth University
NJ · Private nonprofit
41
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
37
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
1.4x
ROI
Southern New Hampshire University
NH · Private nonprofit
43
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
5.4x
ROI
Fordham University
NY · Private nonprofit
33
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
1.2x
ROI
Also at University of Virginia

Other top programs at University of Virginia

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Virginia, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Anthropology at University of Virginia

What does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Anthropology at University of Virginia-Main Campus?

At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Anthropology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Anthropology at University of Virginia-Main Campus?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.