Home › Mount Holyoke College › Anthropology

Anthropology at Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $19,655/yr (-30% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)

ROI 1.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #150 of 178 Anthropology programs

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	$374K	$383K	$381K
Earnings Multiple	1.5x	1.5x	1.5x
Probability of Field Employment	44%	41%	30%
DegreeOutlook Score	28	27	25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$256,568

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$118,248

54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,053

12.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Mount Holyoke College's Anthropology graduates start at $19,655/yr, trailing the $28,155 national average by 30%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

An earnings multiple of 1.5x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the -2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,053 debt load exceeds a year of the $19,655 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #150 out of 178 programs, Mount Holyoke College's financial outcomes for Anthropology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Mount Holyoke College

Admission to Mount Holyoke College is competitive, with 38% of applicants accepted, with a smaller student body of 2,198 in South Hadley, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $118,248 — 54% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Mount Holyoke College →

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 Mount Holyoke College

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 Mount Holyoke College's Anthropology program score?

This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Anthropology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Mount Holyoke College Anthropology graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

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 Mount Holyoke College?

Lower starting pay at Mount Holyoke College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

How affordable is Anthropology at Mount Holyoke College after financial aid?

Sticker price is $256,568, but the average net cost is $118,248 — a 54% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →