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 schools below stand out for the salaries their anthropology graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find where anthropology graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send anthropology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Duke University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid anthropology graduates in North Carolina. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Anthropology graduates of Duke University earn a median of about $62,485 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the highest-paying schools for anthropology. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill make a median of around $43,860 per year.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte typically earn about $43,369 annually.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of about $44,735 a year early in their careers.
Western Carolina University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Carolina University is a public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,633.
East Carolina University earned the #6 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,362.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington make a median of around $37,701 per year.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school located in the city of Raleigh. Anthropology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of about $29,518 a year early in their careers.
Appalachian State University came in at #9 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of about $40,323 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #10 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a public school located in the city of Asheville. Anthropology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of about $24,639 a year early in their careers.
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 · 10 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.