Anthropology at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

UW-Milwaukee's anthropology program commands premium debt ($27,000 versus the state median of $24,000) but delivers earnings that justify the investment better than most alternatives. Graduates earn $33,261 in their first year—well above both the national median ($27,806) and Wisconsin's median ($27,605) for the field. While this places the program in the 85th percentile nationally, it falls to the 60th percentile within Wisconsin, suggesting some in-state competitors offer stronger outcomes. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 is manageable, meaning graduates carry less than a year's salary in student loans.

The concerning pattern here is complete earnings stagnation: graduates earn essentially the same amount four years out ($33,035) as they do immediately after graduation. This flatline suggests limited advancement opportunities in the career paths most UW-Milwaukee anthropology graduates pursue. While the debt load is reasonable by national standards (5th percentile), the lack of earnings growth means that initial salary advantage won't compound over time.

For families, this translates to a relatively safe bet for immediate post-graduation employment, but you should ask hard questions about long-term career trajectory. The program gets students employed at decent wages quickly, but without the earnings growth that typically makes a degree increasingly valuable over time. If your student plans to pursue graduate school—common in anthropology—that might explain and even justify this pattern.