Publication Date

Spring 5-7-2026

Document Type

Student Project

First Advisor

Dana Bardolph-Carlsen

Degree Name

B.S. (Bachelor of Science)

Department

Department of Anthropology

Abstract

The pressures of rising college tuition are raising questions about whether a degree in higher education is worth the return on investment in today's society and economy. This study aims to acknowledge the issues of affording college and the opportunities granted in the face of college wealth premiums from the perspective of the field of archaeology. The college wealth premium is understood as additionalopportunities and increased salaries offered to those with a degree in higher education compared to those without. Using the Midwestern United States as a case study, I discuss the gender/race wage gap, college debt, loan inequity, and general employment opportunities, and present data on university tuition, job postings, and salary ranges in archaeology. With the goal of contributing to more equitable sociopolitical agendas, this study considers data to determine the value of a college degree for those entering the job market in archaeology and discusses how this issue can impact future generations of students, including women, first-generation students, and students of historically marginalized backgrounds.

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