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 highest-paying schools turn a anthropology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of South Florida Main Campus the top school for anthropology graduate earnings in the United States. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Tampa. Anthropology graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of about $54,367 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. 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 $53,441.
Strong graduate earnings at Northern Arizona University earned it the #3 place for anthropology. Northern Arizona University is a public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Anthropology graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of about $69,194 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Texas State University San Marcos one of the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Texas State University San Marcos make a median of around $48,469 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee make a median of around $45,498 per year.
Monmouth University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Monmouth University typically earn about $40,184 annually.
Georgia State University earned the #7 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Georgia State University make a median of around $57,751 per year.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #8 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Suny At Binghamton is a public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Early-career anthropology graduates from Suny At Binghamton make a median of around $31,996 per year.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Anthropology rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 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.