Anthropology at University of Kansas

With fewer than 30 graduates in the sample, these numbers warrant caution, but University of Kansas anthropology graduates start at $29,376—outpacing both the national median ($27,806) and matching the Kansas median for the field. The debt burden of $29,875 is remarkably low compared to most programs (5th percentile nationally), creating a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable even for a humanities degree. However, the comparison with Wichita State ($34,275) shows there's meaningful variation even within Kansas, though their anthropology program may serve different career pipelines.

The real question is trajectory. Anthropology degrees often serve as stepping stones to graduate school or careers that value research and analytical skills over the credential itself. First-year earnings don't tell you whether these graduates are working retail while applying to PhD programs or starting entry-level positions at museums and nonprofits that lead somewhere. The modest starting salary reflects anthropology's reality nationwide—this isn't a vocational degree with a clear earnings path.

For families comfortable with their child pursuing graduate education or willing to support a less linear career path, the low debt load makes KU's program a reasonable choice. If the plan is "bachelor's and done" with immediate financial independence, the starting salary will be tight, though the debt won't compound the problem. Just remember: with such a small sample, next year's cohort could look quite different.