by our College Data Analytics TeamAnthropology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for anthropology students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in anthropology, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Our analysis ranked Diablo Valley College the best school in the country for a degree in anthropology. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 12 anthropology degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $27,813 in their early career. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at Diablo Valley College
Santa Rosa Junior College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. About 24 anthropology degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $80,047 in their early career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. More information about a degree in anthropology from Santa Rosa Junior College
Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at West Valley College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. About 17 anthropology degrees were awarded at West Valley College in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. West Valley College graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Get the full anthropology details for West Valley College
A rank of #4 makes Orange Coast College one of the top schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 12 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $46,306 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. See the full anthropology program report for Orange Coast College
A rank of #5 makes Foothill College one of the top schools for anthropology. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. About 14 anthropology degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Foothill College graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at Foothill College
East Los Angeles College landed the #6 spot for anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. There were roughly 10 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at East Los Angeles College in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. East Los Angeles College graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. More information about a degree in anthropology from East Los Angeles College
American River College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Sacramento. American River College awarded about 22 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $76,077 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree. Get the full anthropology details for American River College
Santa Monica College placed #8 among the best anthropology schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 24 anthropology degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. See the full anthropology program report for Santa Monica College
Cosumnes River College landed the #9 spot for anthropology this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Cosumnes River College awarded about 12 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. See the full anthropology program report for Cosumnes River College
Sierra College landed the #10 spot for anthropology this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. There were roughly 17 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $29,214 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,733. Get the full anthropology details for Sierra College
Butte College earned the #11 position for anthropology this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Butte College awarded about 11 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Butte College graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. More information about a degree in anthropology from Butte College
Santa Barbara City College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. There were roughly 10 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from Santa Barbara City College
San Diego Mesa College came in at #13 for anthropology this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $29,852 in their early career. San Diego Mesa College graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at San Diego Mesa College
Saddleback College earned the #14 position for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. About 20 anthropology degrees were awarded at Saddleback College in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $15,890 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete this degree. Get the full anthropology details for Saddleback College
Long Beach City College landed the #15 spot for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 24 anthropology degrees were awarded at Long Beach City College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from Long Beach City College
Moorpark College landed the #16 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Moorpark College awarded about 29 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Moorpark College graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. See the full anthropology program report for Moorpark College
Pasadena City College landed the #17 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Pasadena City College awarded about 23 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $38,841 in their early career. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. More information about a degree in anthropology from Pasadena City College
Grossmont College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 10 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Grossmont College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in anthropology from Grossmont College
Salt Lake Community College landed the #19 spot for anthropology this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Salt Lake Community College awarded about 13 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Salt Lake Community College earn around $42,031 in the first couple years of their career. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at Salt Lake Community College
El Camino Community College District ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. There were roughly 22 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at El Camino Community College District in the most recent data year. Get the full anthropology details for El Camino Community College District
Miracosta College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Miracosta College in the most recent data year. See the full anthropology program report for Miracosta College
Sacramento City College placed #22 among the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 18 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $46,522 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete this degree. Read more about the anthropology program at Sacramento City College
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #23 for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. Central New Mexico Community College awarded about 21 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Central New Mexico Community College graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at Central New Mexico Community College
Palomar College placed #24 among the best anthropology schools. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Palomar College awarded about 17 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. See the full anthropology program report for Palomar College
College Of Southern Nevada placed #25 among the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. There were roughly 17 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. College Of Southern Nevada graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. See the full anthropology program report for College Of Southern Nevada
These schools also placed among the best for anthropology this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Anthropology rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 37 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.