Anthropology at The University of Montana

With only two schools offering anthropology degrees in Montana, The University of Montana's program sits at the median for the state—but that benchmark matters less than the national picture, which looks surprisingly solid. Graduates earn $30,011 in their first year, placing them above 64% of anthropology programs nationwide. The $27,235 in typical debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.91, remarkably low for humanities majors and well below the national median debt of $23,000 might suggest. That debt load is actually quite manageable given the earning trajectory.

The 8% earnings growth to $32,281 by year four isn't dramatic, but it's steady progression rather than stagnation. For a liberal arts degree at a high-acceptance university, these outcomes beat expectations. The real caveat here is sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, one or two outlier careers could skew these numbers significantly. A small cohort means less certainty that your child's experience will match the data.

If your student is genuinely passionate about anthropology and Montana is home, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt. The sub-$30,000 debt load gives them breathing room to pursue graduate school or entry-level nonprofit work without immediate financial crisis. Just recognize you're making this decision on limited evidence.