Anthropology at Ohio University-Main Campus

Ohio University's Anthropology program sits squarely in the middle of what most anthropology graduates can expect nationally, but the real story here is the modest debt load—just $27,000 puts it in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with more debt. Starting at $27,806, these graduates face nearly dollar-for-dollar debt to earnings, but the 21% income growth by year four suggests some upward trajectory, even if it doesn't match stronger Ohio programs like Miami University's $34,701 median.

Within Ohio, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, slightly above the state median but trailing the top-tier options. The debt level matches the state average, so you're not getting a particularly good or bad deal compared to in-state alternatives. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with different cohorts—a few graduates in corporate roles or graduate school could dramatically change the picture.

For parents, the question is whether $27,000 in debt for starting earnings under $30,000 fits your family's financial situation. Anthropology rarely leads to high-paying careers immediately after graduation, so this program delivers what you'd expect from the field, just with less debt than most. If your child is passionate about anthropology and planning for graduate school or nonprofit work, the controlled debt matters more than the modest starting salary.