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Anthropology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,211/yr (29% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 13.3x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #22 of 178 Anthropology programs Top 25%

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	$475K	$477K	$449K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.2x	13.3x	12.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.0x	3.0x	2.9x
Probability of Field Employment	44%	41%	30%
DegreeOutlook Score	43	42	36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$35,956

Out-of-state: $157,320 (3.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,932

-44% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$12,500

4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,860

21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $36,211 per year, Anthropology graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill significantly outpace the $28,155 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 13.3x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $12,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #22 out of 178 programs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Anthropology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,211 to $43,860 shows 21% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

A 19% acceptance rate puts University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in competitive admissions territory, serving a student body of 20,556 in Chapel Hill, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill →

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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Anthropology program score?

This program scores 42/100 — 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 does University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill rank so high for Anthropology?

The #22 ranking out of 178 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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