Anthropology at University of Massachusetts-Boston

UMass Boston's anthropology graduates earn $36,565 in their first year—putting them in the 95th percentile nationally for this major and above elite private schools like Brandeis ($35,390) and Wellesley ($31,973). That's remarkable for a program at an accessible public university serving a large population of first-generation students. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means a few high earners could be skewing these numbers significantly upward.

The debt load of $24,362 is reasonable at 0.67 times first-year earnings, and graduates see steady 11% income growth over four years. Within Massachusetts, this program sits at the 60th percentile—solid middle-of-the-pack for the state—but it's the comparison to national anthropology programs where UMass Boston really stands out. Most anthropology majors struggle with sub-$30,000 starting salaries; these graduates are clearing that hurdle by a substantial margin.

The catch is the data uncertainty. With fewer than 30 graduates in the sample, these outcomes may not be typical. If your child is genuinely interested in anthropology and wants to stay in the Boston area where job opportunities are stronger than in many regions, this program looks promising. Just recognize you're making a bet on limited information—what works for 25 graduates might not scale to everyone.