Anthropology at Ashford University

San Diego, CA · Private for-profit · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
35
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,382/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI 8.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #70 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 $453K $456K $435K
Earnings Multiple 8.6x 8.7x 8.3x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 41% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 35 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$52,640
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,258
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,475
15% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,382 per year, Anthropology graduates from Ashford University earn slightly above the $28,155 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Anthropology's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,258 represents roughly 9 months of the $34,382 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #70 of 178 Anthropology programs, Ashford University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $39,475 are relatively flat compared to the $34,382 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Ashford University

with 23,734 students enrolled in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Ashford 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
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Anthropology at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Anthropology at Ashford University?
A score of 35/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Anthropology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Anthropology careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $434,536 in decade earnings vs $453,082 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →