Anthropology at Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
26
Optimistic
25
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings
$22,732/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk
High (47% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI
7.5x earnings multiple (3.1x out-of-state)
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 | $491K | $491K | $460K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 7.5x | 7.5x | 7.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.1x | 3.1x | 2.9x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 44% | 41% | 30% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 26 | 25 | 23 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,832
Out-of-state: $156,168 (3.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,996
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,449
82% growth from Year 1
About Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 20,797 in Richmond, VA.
See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Commonwealth University →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
$100,590/yr
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary
$95,770/yr
Compare & Explore
Anthropology at Other Schools
Other Majors at Virginia Commonwealth University
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 Virginia Commonwealth University's Anthropology program score?
This program scores 25/100 — 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 are Anthropology earnings lower at Virginia Commonwealth University?
Lower starting pay at Virginia Commonwealth University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →