Anthropology at Sonoma State University

Sonoma State's anthropology graduates start at $31,744—outearning the typical California anthropology grad by about $4,000 and ranking solidly in the 60th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful advantage in a field not known for high starting salaries, placing this program near UCLA and UC Santa Barbara territory for first-year outcomes.

The financial picture looks manageable: graduates leave with $19,249 in debt, well below both the national median ($23,000) and even California's lower median ($16,834), though that latter comparison matters less given the stronger earnings. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61, most graduates should be able to handle repayment, especially as earnings grow to over $40,000 by year four—a 27% increase that suggests real career progression in the field.

The major caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. However, the combination of reasonable debt, above-average earnings for the field, and strong earnings growth suggests Sonoma State is preparing anthropology students well. For families concerned about the practicality of a social science degree, this program demonstrates you can pursue anthropology without facing either crushing debt or the rock-bottom wages that sometimes plague humanities graduates. Just understand you're looking at a modest starting salary regardless of where you study anthropology.