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Anthropology at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $21,213/yr (-25% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 9.9x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #153 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	$382K	$391K	$387K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.7x	9.9x	9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.8x	4.9x	4.8x
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, In-State (Sticker)

$39,436

Out-of-state: $79,756 (4.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$26,000

34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$9,605

5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,213/yr fall 25% below the $28,155 national median for Anthropology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

At 9.9x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the -1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $9,605 in median debt against $21,213 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #153 out of 178 programs, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's financial outcomes for Anthropology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 27,026 in Edinburg, TX. 64% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. The average net cost of $26,000 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley →

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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's Anthropology program score?

This program scores 27/100 — 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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

Lower starting pay at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 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 →