by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Anthropology involves the study of Anthropology, General. A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Study Of Human Beings, Their Antecedents And Related Primates, And Their Cultural Behavior And Institutions, In Comparative Perspective. Includes Instruction In Biological/physical Anthropology, Primatology, Human Paleontology And Prehistoric Archeology, Hominid Evolution, Anthropological Linguistics, Ethnography, Ethnology, Ethnohistory, Socio-Cultural Anthropology, Psychological Anthropology, Research Methods, And Applications To Areas Such As Medicine, Forensic Pathology, Museum Studies, And International Affairs. Continue reading for the essential details every anthropology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering anthropology programs.
Nationwide, anthropology is a popular field of study, with 10,087 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Anthropology Schools ranking analyzes these 530 schools to determine the best overall colleges for anthropology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of anthropology programs later in this article.
Studies in Anthropology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations anthropology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a anthropology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a anthropology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several anthropology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 880 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 7,771 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 963 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 449 |
People currently working in careers related to anthropology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 50.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.8% |
| Master’s degree | 10.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.9% |
| Some college courses | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.9% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in anthropology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in anthropology opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to anthropology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to anthropology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | 105,398 | -1.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of anthropology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,017 |
| 4 years | $40,107 |
| 5 years | $48,105 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for anthropology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers anthropology grads often go into.
| 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 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $72,345 |
With 530 different anthropology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased anthropology school rankings to help you.
Those considering anthropology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medical Anthropology | 347 |
| Anthropology, Other | 150 |
| Cultural Anthropology | 79 |
| Forensic Anthropology | 62 |
| Physical and Biological Anthropology | 43 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
