Anthropology at University of Houston

University of Houston anthropology graduates earn substantially more than their peers nationwide—landing in the 95th percentile for the field—though they sit closer to the middle when compared to other Texas programs. That $34,669 starting salary beats the national median by nearly $7,000, a meaningful gap for a humanities degree that often struggles with weak initial earnings.

The debt picture looks reasonable at first glance: $22,750 creates a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe about eight months of their first-year salary. However, looking at the Texas landscape reveals the catch. UH graduates earn significantly less than those from UT Austin or even Texas State, despite carrying similar debt loads. For in-state students paying Texas tuition rates across the board, this matters—you're getting middle-of-the-pack outcomes while attending a school with a 70% admission rate that serves a substantial number of Pell Grant recipients.

The 18% earnings growth to $40,865 by year four suggests graduates find their footing, but they're still earning well below what other liberal arts degrees typically command mid-career. For families considering this path, the numbers work if your student is committed to anthropology specifically and values UH's Houston location for internships and connections. But don't choose this program expecting it to lead to strong earning potential—it delivers typical outcomes for a field that doesn't prioritize financial returns.