Anthropology 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 578 schools to find the best for anthropology students.
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Choosing a Great Anthropology School
The anthropology program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Anthropology Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Anthropology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Anthropology in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Chicago the best school in the country for a degree in anthropology. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 37 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of Chicago
Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
See the full anthropology program report for Vanderbilt University
Dartmouth College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in anthropology, ranking #3. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $40,071 early in their careers. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $14,363 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for Dartmouth College
Northwestern University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 23 anthropology degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $33,208 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Read more about the anthropology program at Northwestern University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 21 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $36,211 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $11,982 in student loans.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Duke University landed the #6 spot for anthropology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Duke University earn a median of $43,924 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at Duke University
University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of Pennsylvania
Harvard University landed the #8 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Harvard University awarded about 45 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $95,207 in their early career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
See the full anthropology program report for Harvard University
Washington University In St Louis placed #9 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 39 anthropology degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $34,489 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Get the full anthropology details for Washington University In St Louis
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 37 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the anthropology program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #11 spot for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 113 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $31,420 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 36 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $33,837 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,070 in student loans.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Maryland College Park
Brown University came in at #13 for anthropology this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 24 anthropology degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at Brown University
University Of California Berkeley placed #14 among the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 81 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $28,661 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $12,949 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of California Berkeley
Tufts University came in at #15 for anthropology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in anthropology from Tufts University
Princeton University placed #16 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
See the full anthropology program report for Princeton University
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #17 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 194 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $32,300 in their early 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 landed the #18 spot for anthropology this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 40 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $32,778 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Irvine came in at #19 for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 69 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data 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.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of California Irvine
University Of California Davis landed the #20 spot for anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 65 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of California Davis earn around $28,059 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of California Davis
New York University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 48 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $64,516 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree.
Get the full anthropology details for New York University
Wellesley College earned the #22 position for anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 13 anthropology degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $31,973 early in their careers. Wellesley College graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans.
Get the full anthropology details for Wellesley College
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #23 for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 40 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $59,877 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,775.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Florida placed #24 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 137 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $40,178 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,639.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of Florida
Barnard College placed #25 among the best anthropology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Barnard College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Barnard College earn around $50,790 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,609.
Read more about the anthropology program at Barnard College
Rest of the Top 50 Anthropology Schools
These schools also placed among the best for anthropology this year:
Anthropology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 578 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).
