Anthropology at University of Oregon

University of Oregon's anthropology program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground: while the numbers eventually improve, graduates start significantly behind their Oregon peers. That first-year median of $27,775 falls well below the state's $32,573 median for anthropology majors—earning this program a 40th percentile ranking among Oregon schools. Portland State University's anthropology graduates, for comparison, start at nearly $35,000.

The positive story here is the growth trajectory. Earnings jump 41% by year four, reaching $39,176—a climb that outpaces typical wage growth and suggests graduates eventually find their footing. The debt burden of $25,646 is also lighter than the Oregon average, making that initial earning period more manageable than it could be. You're looking at less than one year's starting salary in debt, which is reasonable.

The real question for your family is whether you're comfortable with those lean first years. These graduates clearly develop valuable skills over time, but the initial gap behind other Oregon programs means a tougher financial start. If your student needs to immediately cover living expenses or aggressively pay down loans, that starting salary will feel tight in Eugene's cost of living. If they have some runway—parental support, living at home, or flexible job searching—the four-year earnings suggest the degree builds toward something better.