2026 Best Anthropology Schools in Virginia
Anthropology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for anthropology students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Anthropology in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall anthropology education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Anthropology
No school ranked higher than University Of Virginia Main Campus this year for anthropology. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 37 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $30,609 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $13,885 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Virginia Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for anthropology. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 30 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $19,067 in student loans.
Read more about the anthropology program at College Of William And Mary
James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 anthropology degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from James Madison University earn around $30,686 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in anthropology from James Madison University
Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 38 anthropology degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $37,081 in their early career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,937 in student loans.
Read more about the anthropology program at George Mason University
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 22 anthropology degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $22,732 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,996.
Get the full anthropology details for Virginia Commonwealth University
More Anthropology Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
