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Anthropology at Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $23,845/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 11.9x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #127 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	$505K	$504K	$469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.9x	11.9x	11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.2x	4.1x	3.9x
Probability of Field Employment	44%	41%	30%
DegreeOutlook Score	31	30	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$42,240

Out-of-state: $121,400 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$73,720

-75% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,699

8.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,848

84% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $23,845 per year, Anthropology graduates from Stony Brook University earn below the $28,155 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 11.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $17,699 debt-to-$23,845 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #127 out of 178 programs, Stony Brook University's financial outcomes for Anthropology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $23,845 to $43,848 over five years (84% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University accepts 49% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 17,420 students in Stony Brook, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at Stony Brook 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 Stony Brook University

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

How does Stony Brook University's Anthropology program score?

This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Anthropology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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 Stony Brook University?

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

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