by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a anthropology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying anthropology schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send anthropology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in anthropology, no school beat Southern Methodist University this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from Southern Methodist University make a median of around $68,161 per year.
University Of Houston produces some of the highest-paid graduates in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Baylor University earned it the #3 place for anthropology. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,566.
The University Of Texas At Austin produces some of the highest-paid graduates in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. 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 #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,181.
University Of North Texas came in at #6 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Students who complete the anthropology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,720.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #7 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school located in the city of College Station. Anthropology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of about $43,190 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #8 position for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. Early-career anthropology graduates from The University Of Texas At San Antonio make a median of around $39,956 per year.
Texas Tech University came in at #9 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Anthropology graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of about $30,385 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #10 for anthropology graduate earnings this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public school located in the city of Arlington. Anthropology graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of about $45,666 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying anthropology schools. 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 landed the #12 spot for anthropology salaries 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.
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 · 12 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.