WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-7% vs national median221 grads tracked

Anthropology at Northern Illinois University

Ranked 102nd of 143 bachelor's programs in Anthropology by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$31,233
middle 50%: $22,679 – $43,983
Median · 5 years out
$44,638
middle 50%: $30,584 – $58,004
Median · 10 years out
$61,703
middle 50%: $43,722 – $79,787

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Anthropology (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Northern Illinois University's bachelor's program in Anthropology earn a median $31,233 one year after graduating, rising to $61,703 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% below the national median of $47,878 for this field, ranking 102nd of 143 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
9.2 yrs
≈ $11,244 total interest

Same major at other universities

Northern Arizona University
$44,933 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$44,876 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Hilo
$44,849 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$44,849 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$44,805 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
$44,669 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Cortland
$44,398 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Buffalo State University
$44,249 · 5 yrs out
College of Charleston
$44,074 · 5 yrs out
Hamline University
$44,001 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$43,993 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University of Denver
$43,768 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Northern Illinois University

Education (Doctorate)
$119,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,599 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$111,551 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$111,291 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$109,443 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$102,156 · 5 yrs out
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,392 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$97,297 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,041 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$93,400 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$92,787 · 5 yrs out

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