Anthropology at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University's anthropology graduates start at a striking disadvantage, earning just $20,144 in their first year—nearly $8,000 below the national median and $11,000 below what graduates from Arizona's other public universities typically earn. This places the program in the bottom 10% both nationally and within Arizona, where the in-state competitors (University of Arizona and ASU) produce graduates earning roughly 55% more right out of the gate. The debt load of $21,819 is actually below average, but when first-year earnings barely exceed $20,000, even modest debt becomes a heavy burden.

The story improves dramatically by year four, with earnings jumping 56% to $31,358—nearly matching the national median and approaching what Arizona's top programs produce. This suggests graduates eventually find their footing, though the difficult early years raise questions about whether students can manage their loan payments during that critical first period. For an anxious parent, the core question is whether your child can weather those lean initial years, possibly with family support or by living at home.

If your student has strong career direction and can handle financial uncertainty, the program's eventual trajectory looks more promising. But compared to Arizona's alternatives at similar admission rates, this represents a riskier path with a notably slower start.