2026 Best Anthropology Schools in California
Anthropology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 142 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for anthropology students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Anthropology in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall anthropology education in California.
Top Schools in Anthropology
University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in anthropology. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of California Santa Barbara
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for anthropology. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 83 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $28,661. Students borrow a median of $12,949 to complete this degree.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 194 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent 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. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Irvine is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. 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. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,667 in student loans.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of California Irvine
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Davis one of the top schools for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 65 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $28,059 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of California Davis
University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for anthropology this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 84 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $28,543 in the first couple years of their career. 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 ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
Get the full anthropology details for San Jose State University
California State University Fullerton came in at #8 for anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. 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.
See the full anthropology program report for California State University Fullerton
California State University Long Beach earned the #9 position for anthropology this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. 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. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from California State University Long Beach
California State University Stanislaus earned the #10 position for anthropology this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Turlock. California State University Stanislaus graduates 53% of students within six years. About 14 anthropology degrees were awarded at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at California State University Stanislaus
California State University Sacramento earned the #11 position for anthropology this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 56 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,460 early in their careers. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $20,675 in student loans.
See the full anthropology program report for California State University Sacramento
California State University East Bay placed #12 among the best anthropology schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 15 anthropology degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent 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. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from California State University East Bay
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 109 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $23,152 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,875.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of California Santa Cruz
El Camino Community College District landed the #14 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 earned the #15 position for anthropology this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 56 anthropology degrees 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. Typical student debt for the program is $13,099.
Read more about the anthropology program at San Diego State University
San Francisco State University earned the #16 position for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 26 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $28,314 in their early career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans.
Read more about the anthropology program at San Francisco State University
Sonoma State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 16 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $31,744 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,249.
Read more about the anthropology program at Sonoma State University
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #18 among the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 24 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data 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.
Read more about the anthropology program at Santa Rosa Junior College
California State University Los Angeles earned the #19 position for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 28 anthropology degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from California State University Los Angeles earn around $41,403 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000.
Read more about the anthropology program at California State University Los Angeles
Diablo Valley College came in at #20 for anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. About 13 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. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at Diablo Valley College
California State University Channel Islands came in at #21 for anthropology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Camarillo. California State University Channel Islands graduates 51% of students within six years. California State University Channel Islands awarded about 15 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $26,502 in their early 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 #22 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. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 52 anthropology degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent 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.
See the full anthropology program report for California State University Northridge
University Of California Riverside placed #23 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of California Riverside
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #24 position for anthropology this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 27 anthropology degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $27,750 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
See the full anthropology program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
University Of California Merced earned the #25 position for anthropology this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 12 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $42,071 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,318.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of California Merced
Rest of the Top 50 Anthropology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong anthropology education:
More Anthropology Rankings
View All Anthropology Rankings >
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 · 142 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.
