Anthropology at Central Washington University

Central Washington University's Anthropology program starts graduates at a significant disadvantage, with first-year earnings of just $20,318—placing it in the 5th percentile nationally and notably below the $26,685 median for Washington state anthropology programs. That initial year is particularly challenging, with graduates earning roughly $16,000 less than their peers at UW-Seattle. The $22,500 in debt is reasonable and only slightly above the state median, but when you're earning barely above poverty wages in year one, any debt feels substantial.

The program's saving grace is robust earnings growth: salaries more than double from year one to year four, reaching $37,042. This 82% jump suggests graduates eventually find their footing, though it raises questions about what happens during those first years. Are graduates pursuing further education? Taking unpaid internships? The gap between early struggle and later stabilization is uncomfortably wide. Even after this growth, earnings remain below what some Washington programs deliver from day one.

For families without substantial financial cushion, this program requires careful consideration. Your child would need support through a difficult first year or two, and the eventual earnings—while decent—don't dramatically compensate for that rocky start. If anthropology is the passion, programs like UW-Seattle or Western Washington offer better immediate returns without significantly more debt.