Anthropology at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State's anthropology program outperforms most Ohio alternatives and shows promising income growth, but the starting salary deserves serious consideration. At $28,172 in year one, graduates earn slightly above the state and national median for anthropology majors, ranking in the 60th percentile among Ohio programs. More encouraging is the trajectory: earnings climb to $38,101 by year four, a 35% increase that suggests graduates gain traction in the job market. Meanwhile, debt of $22,834 stays below state and national averages, creating a manageable first-year ratio of 0.81.

The comparison to Miami University's $34,701 median shows there's room for higher outcomes in Ohio, but Ohio State graduates appear to catch up through that strong mid-career growth. The real question is whether your student can weather that challenging first year—$28,000 doesn't stretch far even in Columbus. Families should have a concrete plan for that period, whether through living at home, additional support, or understanding that grad school may be necessary to reach sustainable earnings. If your student is passionate about anthropology and you can provide a financial cushion during the early years, the manageable debt and upward trajectory make this a defensible choice.