by our College Data Analytics TeamAnthropology was the 75th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 10,974 degrees in this year alone. This 678 less than the prior year, a decrease of 6.2%.
Our 2023 Best Anthropology Schools ranking analyzes 357 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for anthropology students. Explore this or one of our many other custom anthropology rankings further below.
Anthropology majors are found most commonly in careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is important. Talking to others to convey information effectively and communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience are all required skills for careers related to this major.
anthropology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific anthropology careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different anthropology degree levels. Anthropology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest anthropology degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a anthropology degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to anthropology, with approximately 35.5% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for anthropology workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 34.8% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 34.3% |
| Master’s Degree | 20.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 2.8% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.1% |
58.1% of anthropology workers have at least a master's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in anthropology have received.
The education level required is different depending on the anthropology career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your anthropology degree? Anthropology careers are expected to grow 8.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to anthropology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | 7,900 | 3.9% |
| Anthropology and Archeology Professors | 7,800 | 9.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for anthropology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for anthropology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers anthropology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Anthropology and Archeology Professors | $94,080 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $65,310 |
With over 1,113 different anthropology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased anthropology school rankings to help you with this.
Anthropology is one of 5 different types of Anthropology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medical Anthropology | 169 |
| Other Anthropology | 119 |
| Cultural Anthropology | 80 |
| Physical & Biological Anthropology | 50 |
| Forensic Anthropology | 23 |
