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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the early-career earnings of their anthropology graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send anthropology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Rhodes College the top school for anthropology graduate earnings in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Rhodes College make a median of around $54,653 per year.
Duke University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Duke University typically earn about $62,485 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Florida State University one of the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Florida State University typically earn about $50,122 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Emory University one of the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Emory University make a median of around $69,305 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $55,460 a year early in their careers.
George Mason University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $45,617 per year.
James Madison University landed the #7 spot for anthropology salaries this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from James Madison University typically earn about $54,211 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #8 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill typically earn about $43,860 annually.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Eastern Kentucky University make a median of around $39,050 per year.
University Of Florida landed the #10 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of Florida make a median of around $53,927 per year.
University Of Florida Online ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. University Of Florida Online is a public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,927.
The University Of Alabama ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,674.
The University Of West Florida placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. The University Of West Florida is a public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Anthropology graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of about $36,234 a year early in their careers.
Georgia Southern University landed the #14 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of about $35,217 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Florida ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. University Of North Florida is a public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of North Florida make a median of around $38,523 per year.
University Of Louisville earned the #16 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. University Of Louisville is a public school located in the city of Louisville. Anthropology graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of about $41,271 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,369.
University Of Kentucky landed the #18 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of Kentucky make a median of around $46,078 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #19 spot for anthropology salaries this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,735.
University Of Arkansas came in at #20 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Arkansas typically earn about $42,295 annually.
The University Of Tennessee placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from The University Of Tennessee make a median of around $45,042 per year.
College Of Charleston earned the #22 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,564.
Western Carolina University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Western Carolina University typically earn about $37,633 annually.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Tampa. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus typically earn about $43,346 annually.
University Of West Georgia ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of West Georgia typically earn about $31,619 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid anthropology ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 45 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.
