by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Forensic Anthropology covers A Program That Focuses On The Application Of The Biological Sciences And Skeletal Anthropology In Medicolegal Death Investigations. Includes Instruction In Biological Anthropology Theory, Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Anthropology Field Methods, Forensic Anthropological Techniques And Procedures, Human Anatomy, Methods Of Human Identification, Mortuary Archaeology, Osteology, And Taphonomy. Read on to learn the essential details every forensic anthropology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering forensic anthropology programs.
Nationwide, forensic anthropology is a popular field of study, with 62 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Forensic Anthropology Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for forensic anthropology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of forensic anthropology programs later in this article.
Programs in Forensic Anthropology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations forensic anthropology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a forensic anthropology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a forensic anthropology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several forensic 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 | 25 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 25 |
People currently working in careers related to forensic anthropology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 46.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.3% |
| Master’s degree | 11.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.2% |
| Some college courses | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in forensic anthropology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in forensic anthropology opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to forensic anthropology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to forensic anthropology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of forensic anthropology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 forensic anthropology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers forensic 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 5 different forensic anthropology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased forensic anthropology school rankings to help you.
Those considering forensic anthropology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Anthropology, General | 10,087 |
| Medical Anthropology | 347 |
| Anthropology, Other | 150 |
| Cultural Anthropology | 79 |
| Physical and Biological Anthropology | 43 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
