Anthropology at Wichita State University

Wichita State's anthropology program punches above its weight nationally—its $34,275 first-year earnings land in the 92nd percentile among all anthropology programs. However, with only four schools offering this degree in Kansas, the 60th percentile state ranking simply means it outperforms Kansas State ($18,567) while trailing the University of Kansas by about $5,000.

The $25,000 debt load matches both the state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73. That's manageable territory—graduates should be able to handle their payments on an entry-level salary. The numbers look particularly strong when you consider Wichita State's open-access mission (95% admission rate) and the fact that 30% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program successfully launches first-generation and lower-income students into professional careers.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so a few high or low earners could skew the picture significantly. The strong national percentile might reflect a couple of graduates landing unusually good positions rather than a reliable pattern. For families weighing this option, the reasonable debt level provides some insurance against downside risk, but the small sample means you can't count on replicating that impressive $34K figure. If your student is genuinely passionate about anthropology and wants to stay in Kansas, this is a viable path—just don't bank on those top-tier earnings being typical.