Anthropology at SUNY at Purchase College

An $18,085 salary one year after graduation—even for anthropology—signals something has gone seriously wrong. While the debt load itself is modest at $15,375, earning barely above poverty wages means this program ranks in the bottom 10% of New York anthropology degrees and the bottom 5% nationally. Compare this to nearby SUNY Oneonta where anthropology grads earn $32,493, or even University at Albany at $29,900. This isn't about anthropology being a "soft" major; it's about this specific program failing to position graduates for even entry-level success.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) suggests you're dealing with limited data, but the numbers are so far below benchmarks—$8,000+ less than the NY median—that statistical noise doesn't fully explain the gap. Whether graduates are struggling to find employment, taking unpaid internships hoping for full-time positions, or leaving New York for lower-cost areas with depressed wages, the outcome is the same: they're earning less than many retail workers while carrying student debt.

If your child is passionate about anthropology at SUNY, consider the stronger programs at Oneonta or Binghamton. Purchase College has strengths in other areas, but this particular program isn't delivering economic outcomes that justify even modest student loans. At $18,000 annually, your child would struggle to make loan payments, cover living expenses, and build toward financial independence.