Anthropology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 264 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for anthropology students pursuing a degree.
The anthropology program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Anthropology rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Anthropology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Anthropology in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in anthropology. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 25 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Northwestern University earn around $33,208 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from Northwestern University
A rank of #2 makes Dartmouth College one of the top schools for anthropology. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $40,071. Typical student debt for the program is $14,363.
More information about a degree in anthropology from Dartmouth College
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in anthropology, ranking #3. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $36,211 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,982 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
A rank of #4 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 28 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of Chicago
Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in anthropology, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 50 anthropology degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $34,489 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from Washington University In St Louis
Vanderbilt University landed the #6 spot for anthropology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 19 anthropology degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
See the full anthropology program report for Vanderbilt University
Harvard University earned the #7 position for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. About 50 anthropology degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
See the full anthropology program report for Harvard University
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 for anthropology this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 28 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of Pennsylvania
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #9 position for anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 108 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $31,420 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of California Santa Barbara
Princeton University earned the #10 position for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 anthropology degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Princeton University earn around $67,532 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
More information about a degree in anthropology from Princeton University
Georgetown University landed the #11 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 12 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $79,632 in their early career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for Georgetown University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #12 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 106 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $28,661 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $12,949 in student loans.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of California Berkeley
Yale University came in at #13 for anthropology this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 32 anthropology degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
Read more about the anthropology program at Yale University
Tufts University earned the #14 position for anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Tufts University awarded about 10 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Tufts University earn around $68,154 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at Tufts University
University Of California Irvine ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 74 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $30,509 early in their careers. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,667 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of California Irvine
University Of California Davis came in at #16 for anthropology this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 86 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $28,059 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of California Davis
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 170 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $32,300 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of California Los Angeles
Stanford University placed #18 among the best anthropology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 29 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
Get the full anthropology details for Stanford University
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #19 spot for anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 34 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $33,837 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,070 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #20 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 51 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $32,778 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Notre Dame ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 27 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $69,494 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete this degree.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of Notre Dame
San Jose State University placed #22 among the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
See the full anthropology program report for San Jose State University
University Of Connecticut ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $33,758 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Connecticut
New York University came in at #24 for anthropology this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 35 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $64,516 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
See the full anthropology program report for New York University
Barnard College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Barnard College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Barnard College earn around $50,790 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,609.
Get the full anthropology details for Barnard College
Rest of the Top 50 Anthropology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s anthropology ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 264 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
