by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a anthropology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 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.
For graduate earnings in anthropology, no school beat University Of Chicago this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of about $55,099 a year early in their careers.
Northern Illinois University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Northern Illinois University is a public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Early-career anthropology graduates from Northern Illinois University make a median of around $49,059 per year.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public school located in the town of Carbondale. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale typically earn about $45,475 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at Illinois State University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of about $51,516 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #5 place for anthropology. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago typically earn about $43,747 annually.
Northwestern University came in at #6 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Anthropology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of about $33,208 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school located in the city of Champaign. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $52,379 annually.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #8 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Anthropology graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $26,977 a year early in their careers.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #9 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $23,379 a year early in their careers.
Depaul University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Depaul University make a median of around $18,950 per year.
This list is compiled 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 · 10 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.