Anthropology at University at Buffalo

University at Buffalo's anthropology graduates start at $29,460—outpacing both the national median ($27,806) and the New York state median ($26,449) for this degree. With 60th percentile rankings in both comparisons, you're looking at slightly above-average performance for a program that's typically challenging from an earnings standpoint. The 37% earnings jump to $40,392 by year four suggests graduates find their footing after initial entry-level positions, though this still trails higher-earning NY programs like Fordham ($40,384) and Lehman College ($38,879).

The $24,500 debt load sits near the sweet spot—just above the national median but manageable given the first-year salary yields a 0.83 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's not ideal, but it's workable, and the strong earnings trajectory improves the repayment picture considerably. For a SUNY school serving a significant population of Pell grant recipients (32%), these outcomes demonstrate reasonable accessibility without sacrificing results.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. If your child is genuinely passionate about anthropology and understands they'll need to be proactive about translating the degree into career opportunities, Buffalo offers a cost-effective path with better-than-average outcomes for this field. Just don't expect anthropology—anywhere—to compete financially with professional or STEM degrees.