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.
College Factual analyzed 5 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 Notre Dame this year. Set 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of about $51,764 a year early in their careers.
Ball State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Ball State University earn a median of about $43,370 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the highest-paying schools for anthropology. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus typically earn about $28,587 annually.
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 · 5 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.