Analysis
Beloit College's anthropology graduates face a difficult financial reality: earning under $22,000 in their first year—about $6,000 less than Wisconsin's median for anthropology programs and roughly $5,800 below the national average. While the program carries slightly higher debt than state and national norms ($26,293 versus around $23,000-24,000), the real concern is the earnings floor. Even after four years, graduates reach only $25,943, which remains below what typical anthropology majors earn right out of school elsewhere.
The 18% earnings growth offers some hope that trajectories improve over time, but starting from such a low base makes wealth-building challenging in those crucial early career years. For context, UW-Milwaukee's anthropology graduates earn $33,261—nearly 50% more than Beloit grads at the four-year mark. Among Wisconsin's nine anthropology programs, Beloit lands at the 25th percentile for earnings.
If your child is passionate about anthropology at Beloit specifically, understand they'll likely need family financial support in their twenties or a willingness to live extremely frugally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.20 is manageable in theory, but when the denominator is $21,949, monthly loan payments will consume a substantial portion of take-home pay. This investment makes more sense for families who can minimize borrowing or for students planning graduate school where Beloit's liberal arts foundation might prove valuable.
Where Beloit College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all anthropology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Beloit College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beloit College | $21,949 | $25,943 | +18% |
| Duke University | $43,924 | $65,916 | +50% |
| Brandeis University | $35,390 | $54,960 | +55% |
| University of California-Berkeley | $28,661 | $54,062 | +89% |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | $33,261 | $33,035 | -1% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Anthropology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (9 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Beloit CollegeBeloit | $58,554 | $21,949 | $25,943 | $26,293 | 1.20 |
 University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee | $10,020 | $33,261 | $33,035 | $27,000 | 0.81 |
| National Median | — | $27,806 | — | $23,000 | 0.83 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with anthropology graduates
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Forensic Science Technicians
Anthropologists and Archeologists
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Beloit College, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 36 graduates with reported earnings and 43 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.