Anthropology at University of North Texas

UNT's anthropology program starts graduates at $28,160—slightly below Texas's median for the field—but the real story is what happens next. Four-year earnings jump 31% to nearly $37,000, outpacing the typical trajectory for anthropology graduates and suggesting these students successfully navigate the tricky early-career period that often defines outcomes in social sciences.

The debt picture helps make this growth meaningful. At $21,168, borrowers graduate owing about $1,500 less than the state median, and the manageable 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio means payments remain reasonable even during those lean first years. While UNT ranks in the 40th percentile among Texas anthropology programs initially, that strong earnings growth suggests graduates are catching up—though they still trail schools like UT Austin and the University of Houston by year four.

For families, this program offers a relatively low-risk entry into anthropology. The moderate debt load and steady earnings progression create breathing room for graduates to find their footing, whether that means pursuing graduate school or building experience in museum work, cultural resource management, or adjacent fields. You're not betting on exceptional first-year outcomes, but you're also not saddled with the kind of debt that makes anthropology's typically modest earnings problematic.