by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their anthropology graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the early-career earnings of their anthropology graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose anthropology graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Southern Methodist University the top school for anthropology graduate earnings in the Southwest Region. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Anthropology graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $68,161 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in anthropology will find them at University Of Houston, which ranked #2. University Of Houston is a public school located in the city of Houston. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Houston typically earn about $55,286 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Arizona State University one of the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Arizona State University make a median of around $54,391 per year.
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of about $54,391 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Arizona earned it the #5 place for anthropology. University Of Arizona is a public school located in the city of Tucson. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Arizona typically earn about $46,008 annually.
Baylor University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Baylor University make a median of around $50,566 per year.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #7 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of about $48,611 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school located in the city of Austin. Anthropology graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of about $43,067 a year early in their careers.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #9 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Texas State University San Marcos make a median of around $43,181 per year.
University Of North Texas landed the #10 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from University Of North Texas typically earn about $45,720 annually.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #11 spot for anthropology salaries this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,190.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #12 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of about $35,253 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #13 spot for anthropology salaries this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,956.
Texas Tech University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Texas Tech University make a median of around $30,385 per year.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington typically earn about $45,666 annually.
Northern Arizona University came in at #16 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from Northern Arizona University typically earn about $39,836 annually.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #17 spot for anthropology salaries this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public school located in the city of El Paso. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $23,099.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #18 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. After graduating, anthropology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American typically earn about $21,213 annually.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Anthropology graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of about $12,059 a year early in their careers.
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 · 19 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.