Anthropology at Hamline University

Hamline's anthropology program outperforms most programs nationally but sits in the middle of Minnesota's pack—a distinction worth understanding. With first-year earnings of $32,498, graduates earn more than 80% of anthropology majors nationwide, yet this only reaches the 60th percentile within Minnesota, where the University of Minnesota produces similar outcomes ($31,219). The $27,000 debt load, however, is among the lowest you'll find anywhere, ranking in the 5th percentile nationally and coming in below both state and national medians.

The 18% earnings growth over four years is solid, though it's essential to recognize anthropology's broader career reality: this field typically requires graduate education or pivoting into adjacent careers for higher earnings. At $38,323 four years out, many graduates are likely pursuing graduate school or leveraging their liberal arts foundation in communications, non-profit work, or research positions that value analytical thinking over technical specialization.

The critical caveat: we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates here, so individual career paths heavily influence these numbers. For a student genuinely passionate about anthropology and comfortable with its modest earning trajectory, Hamline offers reasonable debt and slightly above-average outcomes. But if anthropology is just one interest among many, your child should carefully consider whether a $27,000 investment in this particular major—versus a more directly marketable field—aligns with their long-term plans.