Anthropology at University of Maryland-College Park

UMD's anthropology program shows surprisingly strong earnings outcomes despite the field's reputation for modest pay. Graduates earn $33,837 in their first year—matching the state median but landing in the 89th percentile nationally. That's nearly $6,000 above what typical anthropology majors earn elsewhere. Even more encouraging, earnings jump to $50,422 by year four, a 49% increase that suggests graduates are finding career traction rather than stalling out.

The debt picture is reasonable at $20,070, creating a manageable 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio. While that's somewhat higher than the national median debt for anthropology programs, the stronger earnings offset this. However, there's an important caveat: these figures come from a small graduating class (under 30 students), which means a few high earners could be inflating the numbers. The state percentile of 60th—middle of the pack among Maryland's limited anthropology programs—suggests the advantage may be less dramatic at the state level.

For families considering this program, the trajectory looks solid if your student genuinely wants to study anthropology. The combination of a respected institution and above-average starting salaries creates better odds than most anthropology programs offer. Just recognize that with such a small sample, individual outcomes will vary significantly, and the field itself remains less lucrative than STEM or business paths.