by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 7 U.S. colleges awarded 81 degrees and certificates in Forensic Anthropology. Certificates are the most popular award, at 46% of graduates. College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Forensic 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.
A major in Forensic Anthropology covers A Program That Focuses On The Application Of The Biological Sciences And Skeletal Anthropology In Medicolegal Death Investigations. Includes Instruction In Biological Anthropology Theory, Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Anthropology Field Methods, Forensic Anthropological Techniques And Procedures, Human Anatomy, Methods Of Human Identification, Mortuary Archaeology, Osteology, And Taphonomy.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, forensic anthropology is a popular field of study, with 81 degrees awarded annually. 7 colleges award forensic anthropology degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 37.
By level, the 81 awards include 37 certificates, 12 bachelor’s degrees and 32 master’s degrees.
Women earned 86% of forensic anthropology degrees and certificates in the latest year (70 of 81). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (63) and multiracial (11).
College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Forensic Anthropology Schools ranking, including 1 for master’s degrees. In all, 7 colleges offer forensic anthropology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Forensic Anthropology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common forensic anthropology credential is the certificate: 37 of the 81 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to forensic 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a forensic anthropology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 37 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 32 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to forensic anthropology, at 46.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 46.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.3% |
| Master’s degree | 11.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Some college courses | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
Source: O*NET Online.
11 occupations are related to Forensic Anthropology, with an average median salary of $106,215; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Compliance Director, Supervisor of Communications, Social Science Manager and Horse Racing Manager.
The occupation related to forensic anthropology with the most projected jobs is Managers, All Other, at 468,025.
| 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% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
Forensic 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 forensic 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 |
Forensic Anthropology has 5 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 10,755 degrees a year; the largest are Anthropology, General (10,125), Medical Anthropology (368) and Anthropology, Other (143). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Anthropology, General | 10,125 |
| Medical Anthropology | 368 |
| Anthropology, Other | 143 |
| Physical and Biological Anthropology | 62 |
| Cultural Anthropology | 57 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
