Anthropology at George Washington University

George Washington's anthropology program shows a puzzling first-year earnings figure of just $22,614—well below the national median and raising questions about immediate job prospects. However, the story gets more complicated when you look at the trajectory: earnings more than double to $49,003 by year four, ultimately surpassing both national and DC benchmarks. This pattern suggests graduates may be taking internships, graduate school prep positions, or entry-level roles before transitioning into better-paying careers. The $27,000 debt load is actually modest compared to GW's sticker price, likely reflecting strong financial aid.

Here's the critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making it statistically unreliable. A few outliers could dramatically skew these numbers in either direction. What we can say is that anthropology at GW appears to serve students who can afford a slow career start—not surprising given that only 15% of GW students receive Pell grants. If your child needs to start earning immediately after graduation, this program's first-year reality should concern you. If they have runway for graduate school or can accept lean early years while building toward something, the four-year numbers look more reasonable. Just remember you're making this decision based on a very small sample that may not predict your child's actual experience.