by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 543 U.S. colleges awarded 10,836 degrees and certificates in Anthropology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 75% of graduates. College Factual ranks 269 schools in its 2027 Best Anthropology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $28,986 one year after completing, rising to $48,548 after four years.
Anthropology is the study of humankind throughout history all around the world. Some of the subjects you will discuss in your classes are similarities and differences between people groups, how different groups live with each other, culture creation, and how human beings evolve and adapt.
Anthropology requires looking at things from new perspectives. You will be exploring how past cultures lived, ate, raised families and created meaning in life. Some courses you can expect to encounter are biological anthropology, human biology, human origins, introduction to anthropology, principles of archaeology, language, and modern human physical variation.
Some of the concentrations available in this major are Physical and Biological Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, or Cultural Anthropology.
A degree in Anthropology explores Anthropology.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., anthropology draws strong interest, with 10,836 degrees awarded annually. 543 colleges award anthropology degrees, an average of 20 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 191.
By level, the 10,836 awards include 49 certificates, 926 associate degrees, 8,143 bachelor’s degrees, 1,201 master’s degrees and 502 doctorates.
Women earned 73% of anthropology degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,928 of 10,836). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,099) and Hispanic or Latino (2,194), and international students earned 403.
College Factual ranks 269 schools in its 2027 Best Anthropology Schools ranking, including 37 for associate degrees, 225 for bachelor’s degrees, 26 for master’s degrees and 13 for doctorates. It also ranks anthropology schools within 49 states. In all, 543 colleges offer anthropology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Anthropology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common anthropology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 8,143 of the 10,836 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to anthropology call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Administration and Management and Law and Government, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Written Comprehension.
Students should have both a scientific inquisitive mind, as well as an interest in people. Develop strong written and oral communication skills in order to write clear papers and present your findings in presentations. Writing and speech should be done in a clear concise manner so that any person can understand the data.
Part of your studies will involve exploring and learning about different cultures, people, and places. An open mind will allow you to objectively compare and contrast various lifestyles and ideas. Critical thinking skills and reasoning will help you piece together historical facts as well as analyze data from research.
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How long an anthropology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 49 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 926 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 8,143 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,201 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 502 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to anthropology, at 45.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 45.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.7% |
| Master’s degree | 12.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
12 occupations are related to Anthropology, with an average median salary of $101,324; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Compliance Director, Safety Director, Entertainment Director and Geophysical Prospecting Field Party Manager.
In order to become an anthropologist you must obtain your Ph.D. Although the employment field of anthropology is predicted to grow, it is a small and competitive field to get into. Anthropologists use their advanced knowledge to research current issues, human life, culture, and history. They are found teaching college classes or working for the government or corporations doing research.
Graduates who do not wish to pursue an advanced degree may find work in a variety of places. Anthropology majors have critical thinking and reasoning skills that make them attractive to many employers. They could find work in human services, sales, business administration, marketing and other fields of interest.
The occupation related to anthropology with the most projected jobs is Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, at 718,152.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary | 262,916 | 6.6% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
Anthropology graduates earn a median $28,986 one year after completing their program, $48,548 after four years and $48,126 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,986 |
| 4 years | $48,548 |
| 5 years | $48,126 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to anthropology is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $85,117 |
Anthropology includes 6 concentrations that together award 10,836 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Anthropology, General (10,125), Medical Anthropology (368) and Anthropology, Other (143). It has 13 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 177,360 degrees a year; the largest are Economics (48,196), Political Science and Government (45,425) and Sociology (30,816). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Anthropology, General | 10,125 |
| Medical Anthropology | 368 |
| Anthropology, Other | 143 |
| Forensic Anthropology | 81 |
| Physical and Biological Anthropology | 62 |
| Cultural Anthropology | 57 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 48,196 |
| Political Science and Government | 45,425 |
| Sociology | 30,816 |
| Social Sciences, General | 17,558 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 12,780 |
| Criminology | 10,920 |
| Geography and Cartography | 7,459 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1,820 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,300 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 574 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
