Archeology at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

La Crosse, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,547/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (108,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 2 Archeology programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

Studying Archeology at UW-La Crosse places you in one of the few dedicated programs nationally, giving your degree a distinct profile. The financial outcomes here suggest a strong foundation that helps graduates navigate a specialized labor market, often finding roles in cultural resource management firms, state historical societies, or federal agencies. Your path likely involves a mix of fieldwork, lab analysis, and technical report writing, with many graduates leveraging project management skills into broader managerial roles. The noted AI risk doesn't mean robots will be digging sites, but rather that data analysis, GIS, and predictive modeling are increasingly automated. This highlights the importance of interdisciplinary skills. To thrive, you'll want to proactively build expertise in data science, geographic information systems (GIS), and project management, alongside your core archaeological training. Focus on internships; they're critical for building the practical experience and network needed in this niche field.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Archeology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $469K $472K $445K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 12.2x 11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.3x 6.3x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 40% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,604
Out-of-state: $74,764 (6.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,496
-59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,475
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,084
39% growth from Year 1

About University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

A 73% acceptance rate means University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is accessible to most applicants, serving 9,194 students in La Crosse, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary $95,770/yr
Anthropologists and archeologists $64,910/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Archeology at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Archeology at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse?
A score of 32/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Archeology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Archeology careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $445,493 in decade earnings vs $469,371 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →