Program Analysis
Oregon State University's Anthropology graduates start at $32,573/yr — above the $28,155 national average, though not by a wide margin.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.3x 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.
At #23 of 178 nationally, this is a top-5% Anthropology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $55,684 show a 71% jump from the $32,573 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.