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 7 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.
Our analysis ranked Smith College the top school for anthropology graduate earnings in Massachusetts. Smith College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Anthropology graduates of Smith College earn a median of about $49,805 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston typically earn about $57,722 annually.
Brandeis University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Early-career anthropology graduates from Brandeis University make a median of around $57,854 per year.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school located in the city of Amherst. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst typically earn about $45,584 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Wellesley College one of the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,973.
Boston University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Boston University typically earn about $26,934 annually.
Mount Holyoke College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Mount Holyoke College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. Early-career anthropology graduates from Mount Holyoke College make a median of around $19,655 per year.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries anthropology graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 7 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.