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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the early-career earnings of their anthropology graduates.
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Below are the schools whose anthropology graduates go on to earn the most.
Smith College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools in the New England Region. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Smith College make a median of around $49,805 per year.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the highest-paying schools for anthropology. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public school located in the city of Boston. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston typically earn about $57,722 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Brandeis University earned it the #3 place for anthropology. Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,854.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at Southern New Hampshire University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,986.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Rhode Island earned it the #5 place for anthropology. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of about $40,426 a year early in their careers.
University Of Connecticut came in at #6 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. University Of Connecticut is a public school located in the town of Storrs. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Connecticut typically earn about $50,125 annually.
Dartmouth College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Early-career anthropology graduates from Dartmouth College make a median of around $40,071 per year.
University Of Vermont came in at #8 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of Vermont make a median of around $45,049 per year.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #9 spot for anthropology salaries this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school located in the city of Amherst. Anthropology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $45,584 a year early in their careers.
Wellesley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Wellesley College make a median of around $31,973 per year.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #11 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of about $30,380 a year early in their careers.
Boston University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Anthropology graduates of Boston University earn a median of about $26,934 a year early in their careers.
University Of Maine ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of Maine make a median of around $23,341 per year.
Mount Holyoke College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College typically earn about $19,655 annually.
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 · 14 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.