Anthropology at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,573/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)
ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 of 178 Anthropology programs Top 10%

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 $558K $553K $505K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.1x 11.0x 10.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 4.0x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 44% 41% 30%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,376
Out-of-state: $139,776 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,888
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,684
71% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $32,573/yr, edging above the $28,155 national average for Anthropology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Anthropology programs nationally.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $32,573 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #15 of 178 programs, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's Anthropology program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $55,684 show a 71% jump from the $32,573 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

With a 68% acceptance rate, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 1,054 in Bend, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus →

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

Compare Anthropology

Other Majors at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Anthropology at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
A score of 43/100 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 $505,420 in decade earnings vs $558,500 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →