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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 4 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.
Rhodes College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid anthropology graduates in Tennessee. Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Anthropology graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of about $54,653 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at The University Of Tennessee earned it the #2 place for anthropology. The University Of Tennessee is a public school located in the city of Knoxville. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee typically earn about $45,042 annually.
University Of Memphis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Memphis typically earn about $33,817 annually.
Middle Tennessee State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Middle Tennessee State University make a median of around $35,615 per year.
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 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.