Anthropology at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

A first-year salary of $21,213 puts UT Rio Grande Valley anthropology graduates in a difficult position, earning about 25% less than the typical Texas anthropology graduate and 40% below what graduates earn at UT Austin. While the relatively modest debt of $11,427 is half the national average for anthropology programs, it still represents more than half of first-year earnings—a concerning ratio when you're barely clearing $400 a week. Among Texas anthropology programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile for earnings, meaning three-quarters of programs in the state deliver better financial outcomes.

The university serves a predominantly first-generation, low-income student population (64% receive Pell grants), and these numbers reflect both the regional economy of the Rio Grande Valley and potentially students who may need to work locally rather than relocate for higher-paying opportunities. The sample size is small here—under 30 graduates—so individual circumstances could be skewing these figures significantly. It's worth noting that anthropology is rarely a lucrative bachelor's degree anywhere, but this program appears to underperform even that modest baseline.

If your child is drawn to anthropology, they'd be better served at one of the several Texas public universities where graduates earn $30,000 or more. If UT Rio Grande Valley is the only financially viable option, treat anthropology as preparation for graduate school rather than a terminal degree, and understand that immediate self-sufficiency will be challenging on these earnings.