Best Schools for Anthropology in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall anthropology education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in Anthropology
Leading the list is University Of California Santa Barbara, our #1 school for anthropology. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 113 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $31,420 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of California Santa Barbara
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for anthropology. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 83 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $28,661 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,949 to complete this degree.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 194 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $32,300 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 43 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $32,778 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Irvine is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 69 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $30,509 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,667.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of California Irvine
University Of California Davis came in at #6 for anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 65 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $28,059 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of California Davis
University Of California San Diego landed the #7 spot for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 84 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $28,543. Students borrow a median of $13,958 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of California San Diego
San Jose State University placed #8 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 29 anthropology degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
See the full anthropology program report for San Jose State University
California State University Fullerton ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 33 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $26,794. Typical student debt for the program is $14,404.
More information about a degree in anthropology from California State University Fullerton
California State University Long Beach ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 anthropology degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $22,351 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full anthropology details for California State University Long Beach
California State University Stanislaus placed #11 among the best anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 anthropology degrees were awarded at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete this degree.
See the full anthropology program report for California State University Stanislaus
California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 56 anthropology degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $32,460 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,675 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in anthropology from California State University Sacramento
California State University East Bay placed #13 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University East Bay awarded about 15 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from California State University East Bay earn around $58,951 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073.
See the full anthropology program report for California State University East Bay
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #14 among the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 109 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $23,152. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of California Santa Cruz
El Camino Community College District landed the #15 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. El Camino Community College District awarded about 16 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the anthropology program at El Camino Community College District
San Diego State University placed #16 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from San Diego State University earn around $25,553 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,099 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at San Diego State University
San Francisco State University placed #17 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 26 anthropology degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $28,314 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at San Francisco State University
Sonoma State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 16 anthropology degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $31,744 in their early career. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $19,249 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from Sonoma State University
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 24 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. 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
California State University Los Angeles came in at #20 for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $41,403 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at California State University Los Angeles
Diablo Valley College earned the #21 position for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 13 anthropology degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans.
Read more about the anthropology program at Diablo Valley College
California State University Channel Islands placed #22 among the best anthropology schools. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Channel Islands awarded about 15 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from California State University Channel Islands earn around $26,502 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Channel Islands graduates carry a median of $20,914 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for California State University Channel Islands
California State University Northridge ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Northridge awarded about 52 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $26,278 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750.
Get the full anthropology details for California State University Northridge
University Of California Riverside came in at #24 for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Riverside awarded about 75 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $26,178 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of California Riverside
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #25 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 27 anthropology degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $27,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full anthropology details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Rest of the Top 50 Anthropology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s anthropology ranking:
Narrow Anthropology Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 171 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
