by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying anthropology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose anthropology graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Notre Dame tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Anthropology graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of about $65,133 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Case Western Reserve University earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. 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 University Of Chicago, which ranked #3. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of Chicago make a median of around $55,099 per year.
The College Of Wooster produces some of the highest-paid graduates in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,148.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Anthropology graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of about $51,764 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #6 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,446.
Northern Illinois University earned the #7 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Northern Illinois University typically earn about $49,059 annually.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #8 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Located 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.
Miami University Oxford ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,643.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,575.
Oakland University came in at #11 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Oakland University make a median of around $40,417 per year.
Michigan State University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $56,484 annually.
Illinois State University landed the #13 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,516.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #14 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago typically earn about $43,747 annually.
Wayne State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Wayne State University is a public school located in the city of Detroit. Anthropology graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of about $48,665 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #16 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $43,850 a year early in their careers.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Ohio State University Main Campus make a median of around $44,620 per year.
Northwestern University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Anthropology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of about $33,208 a year early in their careers.
Grand Valley State University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Grand Valley State University is a public school located in the town of Allendale. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Grand Valley State University typically earn about $40,889 annually.
Central Michigan University landed the #20 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Central Michigan University make a median of around $42,994 per year.
Ball State University came in at #21 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,370.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school located in the city of Bloomington. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington typically earn about $39,816 annually.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #23 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Ohio University Main Campus make a median of around $35,981 per year.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #24 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent typically earn about $40,708 annually.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #25 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign make a median of around $52,379 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid anthropology ranking:
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 · 32 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.