by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their anthropology graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find where anthropology graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose anthropology graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of California Merced earned the #1 spot for highest-paid anthropology graduates in the Far Western Region. University Of California Merced is a public school located in the suburb of Merced. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Merced typically earn about $50,370 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of about $49,002 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of Washington Seattle Campus make a median of around $61,569 per year.
Pacific Lutheran University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Pacific Lutheran University make a median of around $43,199 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $63,390 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $58,077 a year early in their careers.
Oregon State University earned the #7 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of about $55,684 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #8 spot for anthropology salaries this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles typically earn about $55,070 annually.
University Of California Irvine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of California Irvine make a median of around $57,629 per year.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #10 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa typically earn about $41,231 annually.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #11 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of about $50,773 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Davis earned the #12 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. University Of California Davis is a public school located in the suburb of Davis. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Davis typically earn about $55,777 annually.
California State University Sacramento earned the #13 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Sacramento typically earn about $48,680 annually.
University Of California San Diego landed the #14 spot for anthropology salaries this year. University Of California San Diego is a public school located in the city of La Jolla. Anthropology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of about $53,445 a year early in their careers.
Portland State University landed the #15 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Portland State University is a public school located in the city of Portland. Early-career anthropology graduates from Portland State University make a median of around $43,474 per year.
California State University Channel Islands came in at #16 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands typically earn about $55,660 annually.
San Francisco State University came in at #17 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. San Francisco State University is a public school located in the city of San Francisco. Early-career anthropology graduates from San Francisco State University make a median of around $50,064 per year.
California State University Fullerton placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. California State University Fullerton is a public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Anthropology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $51,703 a year early in their careers.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #19 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno typically earn about $49,297 annually.
Ashford University earned the #20 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Ashford University typically earn about $39,475 annually.
California State University Chico placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. California State University Chico is a public school located in the city of Chico. Early-career anthropology graduates from California State University Chico make a median of around $48,693 per year.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #22 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Early-career anthropology graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona make a median of around $47,764 per year.
Western Washington University earned the #23 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Western Washington University make a median of around $46,798 per year.
University Of Oregon came in at #24 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Oregon typically earn about $46,119 annually.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #25 spot for anthropology salaries this year. California State University Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,878.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning anthropology graduates:
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 · 37 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.
