by our College Data Analytics TeamAnthropology is the study of humankind throughout history all around the world. Some of the subjects you will discuss in your classes are similarities and differences between people groups, how different groups live with each other, culture creation, and how human beings evolve and adapt.
Anthropology requires looking at things from new perspectives. You will be exploring how past cultures lived, ate, raised families and created meaning in life. Some courses you can expect to encounter are biological anthropology, human biology, human origins, introduction to anthropology, principles of archaeology, language, and modern human physical variation.
Some of the concentrations available in this major are Physical and Biological Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, or Cultural Anthropology.
A degree in Anthropology explores Anthropology. Continue reading for the essential details every anthropology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering anthropology programs.
In the U.S., anthropology draws strong interest, with 10,768 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Anthropology Schools ranking analyzes these 548 schools to determine the best overall colleges for anthropology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of anthropology programs later in this article.
Studies in Anthropology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations anthropology graduates commonly enter.
Students should have both a scientific inquisitive mind, as well as an interest in people. Develop strong written and oral communication skills in order to write clear papers and present your findings in presentations. Writing and speech should be done in a clear concise manner so that any person can understand the data.
Part of your studies will involve exploring and learning about different cultures, people, and places. An open mind will allow you to objectively compare and contrast various lifestyles and ideas. Critical thinking skills and reasoning will help you piece together historical facts as well as analyze data from research.
Skills developed in a anthropology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a anthropology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several anthropology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 28 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 887 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 8,166 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,202 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 464 |
People currently working in careers related to anthropology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 45.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.7% |
| Master’s degree | 12.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in anthropology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
In order to become an anthropologist you must obtain your Ph.D. Although the employment field of anthropology is predicted to grow, it is a small and competitive field to get into. Anthropologists use their advanced knowledge to research current issues, human life, culture, and history. They are found teaching college classes or working for the government or corporations doing research.
Graduates who do not wish to pursue an advanced degree may find work in a variety of places. Anthropology majors have critical thinking and reasoning skills that make them attractive to many employers. They could find work in human services, sales, business administration, marketing and other fields of interest.
Studying anthropology can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to anthropology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to anthropology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary | 262,916 | 6.6% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of anthropology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $29,017 |
| 4 years | $40,107 |
| 5 years | $48,105 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for anthropology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers anthropology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $85,117 |
With 548 different anthropology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased anthropology school rankings to help you.
Those considering anthropology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Anthropology, General | 10,087 |
| Medical Anthropology | 347 |
| Anthropology, Other | 150 |
| Cultural Anthropology | 79 |
| Forensic Anthropology | 62 |
| Physical and Biological Anthropology | 43 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 45,628 |
| Political Science and Government | 44,942 |
| Sociology | 31,380 |
| Social Sciences, General | 17,510 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 13,035 |
| Criminology | 10,365 |
| Geography and Cartography | 7,105 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1,942 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,343 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 496 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
