University of Missouri-Columbia Anthropology: earnings, debt & careers

Anthropology graduates of University of Missouri-Columbia earn a median $49,351 four years after graduating ($31,926 after one year), with median federal loan debt of $17,600. That is $3,231 above the U.S. median for Anthropology graduates ($46,120 across 186 colleges), and ranks 2nd of 4 Missouri colleges.

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Earnings, 4 years after graduating
$49,351

U.S. median for this major: $46,120.

College Scorecard field of study; 25 graduates with earnings reported. A small group, so treat this figure with caution

Earnings, 1 year after
$31,926

Median for graduates who received federal aid.

College Scorecard field of study

Median debt at graduation
$17,600

About 36% of median earnings 4 years out. U.S. median $22,924.

College Scorecard field of study (federal loans)

What your family pays
$20,268 /yr

Average after grants for all families receiving federal aid. Pick your income above.

Sticker price $31,713. College Scorecard.

University of Missouri-Columbia Anthropology: pay against the field, and payback

Same major, other colleges

University of Missouri-Columbia graduates$49,351
Missouri median (4 colleges)$44,874 (+$4,477)
U.S. median (186 colleges)$46,120 (+$3,231)

Median earnings 4 years after graduating; state and U.S. figures are the median of each covered college's graduates in this major. College Scorecard; calculated by EducationGuide.

Anthropology nationally: jobs, pay at ages 25-34, every state →

Cost to finish and years to pay back, by income

Uses University of Missouri-Columbia's school-wide net price (no college reports it by major) and this major's graduate earnings.

Family incomeNet price / yrCost to finishYears to pay back
$0–30k$13,841$59,5164.3 years
$30–48k$13,378$57,5254.1 years
$48–75k$13,722$59,0054.2 years
$75–110k$19,762$84,9776.1 years
$110k+$26,304$113,1078.1 years

Cost to finish = yearly price × 4.3 years, the average time graduates took (56% finished in 4 years; students who entered fall 2017, IPEDS). Years to pay back = cost to finish ÷ the earnings gain: median earnings of Anthropology graduates 4 years after graduating ($49,351) minus $35,438 for high school graduates ages 25-34 in MO (Census ACS 2020-2024), a gain of $13,913 a year. Before taxes, loan interest and earnings given up while in school. Method

College Scorecard; IPEDS Graduation Rates; U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Calculated by EducationGuide.

Anthropology at Missouri colleges

Every Missouri college we cover that reports Anthropology graduate earnings, highest first. Net price is the school-wide average after grants.

RankCollegeEarnings, 4 yrsMedian debtAvg. net priceGraduation
1Washington University in St Louis$71,018$15,000$21,78694%
2University of Missouri-Columbia$49,351$17,600$20,26875%
3University of Missouri-St Louis$40,397$27,000$15,07157%
4Missouri State University-Springfield$38,870$25,500$17,61358%

5 more Missouri colleges offer Anthropology but have too few graduates to report earnings.

Careers for Anthropology graduates

Forensic Science Technicians

Missouri$62,750
U.S.$72,060

Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs +13.3% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35. Careers from the federal major-to-occupation crosswalk.

What families pay at University of Missouri-Columbia, by income

School-wide average after grants for students receiving federal aid. Tap your band.

College Scorecard

About University of Missouri-Columbia

Related majors at University of Missouri-Columbia

University of Missouri-Columbia Anthropology questions

How much do University of Missouri-Columbia Anthropology graduates earn?

Anthropology graduates of University of Missouri-Columbia earn a median $49,351 four years after graduating and $31,926 one year after. The U.S. median for Anthropology graduates across 186 colleges is $46,120.

How much debt do University of Missouri-Columbia Anthropology graduates have?

The median federal loan debt for Anthropology graduates of University of Missouri-Columbia is $17,600, about 36% of their median earnings four years out. Nationally the median is $22,924.

Is University of Missouri-Columbia a good school for Anthropology in Missouri?

On pay, Anthropology graduates of University of Missouri-Columbia earn $49,351 four years out, $4,477 above the median for the same major across 4 Missouri colleges ($44,874) and $3,231 above the U.S. median ($46,120). Medians of each college's graduates; EducationGuide calculation from College Scorecard.

Where does University of Missouri-Columbia rank for Anthropology in Missouri?

Of 4 Missouri colleges reporting Anthropology graduate earnings, University of Missouri-Columbia ranks 2nd. The highest is Washington University in St Louis at $71,018.

What jobs do Anthropology graduates get?

A common career is forensic science technicians, with a median wage of $62,750 in Missouri and $72,060 nationally.

Is University of Missouri-Columbia the right fit for your family?

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study: median earnings and federal loan debt of graduates who received federal aid); BLS. How we score
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Cite this: “University of Missouri-Columbia Anthropology: earnings, debt and careers,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/colleges/university-of-missouri-columbia/majors/anthropology (College Scorecard and BLS data).