by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Physical & Biological Anthropology covers Physical And Biological Anthropology. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of The Biological Sciences And Anthropology To The Study Of The Adaptations, Variability, And The Evolution Of Human Beings And Their Living And Fossil Relatives. Includes Instructions In Anthropology, Human And Mammalian Anatomy, Cell Biology, Paleontology, Human Culture And Behavior, Neuroscience, Forensic Anthropology, Anatomical Reconstruction, Comparative Anatomy, And Laboratory Science And Methods. Continue reading for the key facts every physical & biological anthropology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering physical & biological anthropology programs.
In the U.S., physical & biological anthropology draws strong interest, with 43 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Physical & Biological Anthropology Schools ranking analyzes these 7 schools to determine the best overall colleges for physical & biological anthropology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of physical & biological anthropology programs later in this article.
Studies in Physical & Biological Anthropology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations physical & biological anthropology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a physical & biological anthropology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a physical & biological anthropology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several physical & biological 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 21 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 20 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to physical & biological anthropology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 50.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.8% |
| Master’s degree | 10.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 6.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.9% |
| Some college courses | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.9% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in physical & biological anthropology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in physical & biological anthropology can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to physical & biological anthropology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to physical & biological 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% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | 105,398 | -1.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of physical & biological 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 physical & biological anthropology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers physical & biological 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 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $72,345 |
With 7 different physical & biological anthropology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased physical & biological anthropology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in physical & biological 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 |
| Forensic Anthropology | 62 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
