WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-15% vs national median270 grads tracked

Anthropology at Western Carolina University

Ranked 130th of 143 bachelor's programs in Anthropology by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$28,078
middle 50%: $21,215 – $37,385
Median · 5 years out
$40,873
middle 50%: $30,253 – $51,223
Median · 10 years out
$49,109
middle 50%: $36,043 – $63,950

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 Western Carolina University's bachelor's program in Anthropology earn a median $28,078 one year after graduating, rising to $49,109 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 15% below the national median of $47,878 for this field, ranking 130th 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
10.6 yrs
≈ $12,919 total interest

Same major at other universities

Longwood University
$42,146 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
$42,092 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (The)
$41,597 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$41,559 · 5 yrs out
Ball State University
$41,544 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Iowa
$41,283 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$40,680 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southern University
$40,660 · 5 yrs out
Western Colorado University
$40,342 · 5 yrs out
Southeast Missouri State University
$40,342 · 5 yrs out
Utah State University
$40,198 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$40,159 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Carolina University

Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out

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