Analysis
Boston University's anthropology bachelor's lands below the middle of the pack both nationally and within Massachusetts, despite the institution's selective admissions and strong academic reputation. At $26,934 one year after graduation, it trails the state median by nearly $2,500 and sits well behind programs at UMass-Boston ($36,565) and Brandeis ($35,390). The debt load of $25,250 roughly matches what anthropology graduates carry elsewhere, yielding a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio in that crucial first year.
The bright spot here is trajectory: earnings jump 75% by year four to $47,165, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing in the job market. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year—a few graduates in consulting or tech could artificially inflate averages, while a cohort pursuing graduate school could drag them down.
For families paying Boston University's premium tuition, this program requires clear-eyed planning. If your student is passionate about anthropology and has concrete plans for graduate school or specific career paths where the BU network matters, the investment may make sense. But if they're exploring anthropology as a general liberal arts degree, lower-cost options within Massachusetts deliver comparable or better early-career outcomes without the sticker shock.
Where Boston University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all anthropology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Boston University 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston University | $26,934 | $47,165 | +75% |
| 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 Massachusetts-Boston | $36,565 | $40,420 | +11% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Anthropology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (20 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Boston UniversityBoston | $65,168 | $26,934 | $47,165 | $25,250 | 0.94 |
 University of Massachusetts-BostonBoston | $15,496 | $36,565 | $40,420 | $24,362 | 0.67 |
 Brandeis UniversityWaltham | $64,946 | $35,390 | $54,960 | $26,000 | 0.73 |
 Wellesley CollegeWellesley | $64,320 | $31,973 | — | — | — |
 University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst | $17,357 | $24,120 | — | — | — |
 Mount Holyoke CollegeSouth Hadley | $64,142 | $19,655 | — | $21,178 | 1.08 |
| 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 Boston University, approximately 18% 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 22 graduates with reported earnings and 29 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.