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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find where anthropology graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send anthropology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Columbia University In The City Of New York the top school for anthropology graduate earnings in New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $68,212 annually.
New York University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from New York University typically earn about $61,922 annually.
Fordham University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Anthropology graduates of Fordham University earn a median of about $54,406 a year early in their careers.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College typically earn about $55,905 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Suny College At Oneonta earned it the #5 place for anthropology. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,724.
Cuny Queens College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,381.
Suny At Albany ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Suny At Albany is a public school located in the city of Albany. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Suny At Albany typically earn about $43,029 annually.
Cuny Hunter College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Cuny Hunter College is a public school located in the city of New York. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College typically earn about $44,882 annually.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #9 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of about $54,092 a year early in their careers.
Stony Brook University earned the #10 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of about $43,848 a year early in their careers.
University At Buffalo earned the #11 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. University At Buffalo is a public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Early-career anthropology graduates from University At Buffalo make a median of around $29,460 per year.
Suny At Geneseo placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Suny At Geneseo is a public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $26,218.
Suny At Purchase College came in at #13 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Suny At Purchase College is a public school located in the suburb of Purchase. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College typically earn about $18,085 annually.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #14 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Suny College At Oswego is a public school located in the town of Oswego. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego typically earn about $17,595 annually.
Syracuse University landed the #15 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Syracuse University typically earn about $16,844 annually.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #16 spot for anthropology salaries this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a public school located in the town of New Paltz. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz typically earn about $14,746 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 · 16 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.