Anthropology at Monmouth University

West Long Branch, NJ · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,302/yr (64% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #28 of 178 Anthropology programs Top 25%

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 $547K $543K $498K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 3.0x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 41% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$179,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$126,600
29% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,000
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,796
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $46,302 put Monmouth University's Anthropology program 64% above the national median of $28,155 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The financial case is thin at 3.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $46,302 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #28 of 178 nationally, this is a top-5% Anthropology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $46,302 to $58,796 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Monmouth University

Monmouth University accepts 90% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 3,831 students in West Long Branch, NJ.

See all programs and financial aid at Monmouth 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

Other Majors at Monmouth 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Anthropology at Monmouth University?
A score of 41/100 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 $497,696 in decade earnings vs $547,012 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Monmouth University's Anthropology program stand out?
Ranked #28 of 178 programs nationally, Monmouth University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →