Anthropology at Syracuse University

Syracuse University's anthropology graduates earn just $16,844 one year after completing their degree—less than half the New York state median of $26,449 and barely 60% of the national average. This places the program in the bottom 10% statewide and bottom 5% nationally, trailing far behind comparable institutions like Fordham ($40,384) and even lower-cost SUNY options like Oneonta ($32,493). While the debt load of $23,249 sits near national norms, that becomes problematic when matched against such minimal earnings.

The small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—demands caution, as a handful of gap-year students or those pursuing unpaid internships could skew the numbers dramatically. However, even accounting for statistical noise, the gap between Syracuse's outcomes and peer institutions is too wide to ignore. At a selective private university with strong academic credentials, you'd expect stronger career placement or at least earnings competitive with SUNY schools.

For parents paying Syracuse's private school tuition, this program represents a troubling investment. Unless your child has compelling reasons to pursue anthropology specifically at Syracuse—perhaps graduate school plans where the degree reputation matters more than immediate earnings—exploring this major at a SUNY campus or similar public institution would deliver comparable or better outcomes at a fraction of the cost.