Anthropology at Fordham University

Fordham's anthropology program ranks in the 95th percentile both nationally and within New York—impressive numbers that put it ahead of major state flagships like Binghamton and University at Buffalo. With first-year earnings of $40,384 (53% above the New York median) and climbing to $46,873 by year four, these graduates are substantially outperforming typical outcomes for this major. The $24,000 median debt is manageable at 0.59 times first-year earnings, well below levels that typically strain budgets.

However, there's an important asterisk: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, which means a few high earners could skew the entire picture. That small sample size matters especially for a niche major like anthropology. The program's selectivity (1412 average SAT) suggests these students likely bring strong credentials that help in competitive job markets, but it's harder to predict whether your child would match these outcomes versus ending up closer to the $27,000 national median.

If your student is seriously committed to anthropology and has the academic profile of a typical Fordham admit, these numbers suggest better-than-average outcomes. But with a liberal arts degree like this, internships and networking matter enormously—the program's Bronx location near Manhattan could be a real advantage for access to museums, nonprofits, and cultural institutions where anthropology graduates find work.