Anthropology at California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento State's anthropology program delivers something surprisingly rare: strong earnings that actually grow over time. While $32,460 right after graduation sits only slightly above California's anthropology median, four years out these graduates earn $44,404—a 37% jump that outpaces most programs in the field. This ranks in the 80th percentile nationally, placing it above UCLA and all but one school in California.

The $20,675 in typical debt is higher than the state median but manageable given the earnings trajectory. That 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than two-thirds of their first-year salary, a reasonable starting point that only improves as incomes rise. For a university that serves nearly half Pell-eligible students, these outcomes suggest effective support for first-generation and lower-income graduates entering the job market.

The catch? This is still anthropology, meaning starting salaries are modest compared to technical fields. But if you're comparing anthropology programs—which you should be if that's your child's genuine interest—Sacramento State's combination of accessible admission, reasonable debt, and solid earnings growth makes it a smart choice within California's system.