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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their anthropology graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the early-career earnings of their anthropology graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose anthropology graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of California Merced tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools in California. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Merced typically earn about $50,370 annually.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from California State University Stanislaus make a median of around $49,002 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #3. Located 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 produces some of the highest-paid graduates in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,077.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for anthropology. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of California Los Angeles make a median of around $55,070 per year.
University Of California Irvine landed the #6 spot for anthropology salaries this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of about $57,629 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Davis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of California Davis make a median of around $55,777 per year.
California State University Sacramento came in at #8 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $48,680 a year early in their careers.
University Of California San Diego landed the #9 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of about $53,445 a year early in their careers.
California State University Channel Islands ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. California State University Channel Islands is a public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands typically earn about $55,660 annually.
San Francisco State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from San Francisco State University typically earn about $50,064 annually.
California State University Fullerton placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton typically earn about $51,703 annually.
Ashford University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,475.
California State University Chico earned the #14 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. California State University Chico is a public school located in the city of Chico. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,693.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #15 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.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #16 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,878.
California State University Northridge came in at #17 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,132.
University Of California Riverside placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of about $44,195 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,407.
Sonoma State University landed the #20 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Sonoma State University is a public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,744.
Humboldt State University landed the #21 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,504.
California State University Long Beach landed the #22 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $39,659 a year early in their careers.
San Diego State University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,553.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. California State University San Bernardino is a public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,354.
California State University Fresno placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of about $20,949 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries anthropology graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 25 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.
