by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the early-career earnings of their anthropology graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send anthropology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Columbia University In The City Of New York tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,212.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of Notre Dame make a median of around $65,133 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at Case Western Reserve University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University typically earn about $62,745 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at New York University, which ranked #4. New York University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,922.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Southern Methodist University typically earn about $68,161 annually.
University Of Chicago earned the #6 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,099.
Rhodes College came in at #7 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Rhodes College typically earn about $54,653 annually.
The College Of Wooster placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from The College Of Wooster make a median of around $53,148 per year.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,764.
Drew University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Drew University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Drew University typically earn about $51,563 annually.
Duke University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Early-career anthropology graduates from Duke University make a median of around $62,485 per year.
Monmouth University landed the #12 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Monmouth University typically earn about $58,796 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #13 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $50,446 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Merced earned the #14 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of about $50,370 a year early in their careers.
Florida State University earned the #15 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Florida State University earn a median of about $50,122 a year early in their careers.
Smith College earned the #16 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,805.
Emory University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Emory University typically earn about $69,305 annually.
Northern Illinois University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $49,059 a year early in their careers.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #19 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. California State University Stanislaus is a public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,002.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #20 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of Colorado Denver make a median of around $47,096 per year.
Montana State University came in at #21 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Montana State University make a median of around $46,122 per year.
Fordham University came in at #22 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Anthropology graduates of Fordham University earn a median of about $54,406 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #23 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Cuny Lehman College is a public school located in the city of Bronx. Anthropology graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of about $55,905 a year early in their careers.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale typically earn about $45,475 annually.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,067.
These schools also send anthropology graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Anthropology rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their anthropology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.