by our College Data Analytics TeamAnthropology 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 597 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for anthropology students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in anthropology, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Leading the list is El Camino Community College District, our #1 school for anthropology. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. 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
Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at Santa Rosa Junior College, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 24 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. See the full anthropology program report for Santa Rosa Junior College
A rank of #3 makes Diablo Valley College one of the top schools for anthropology. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. There were roughly 13 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. Read more about the anthropology program at Diablo Valley College
American River College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. There were roughly 17 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at American River College in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from American River College
Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. There were roughly 15 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree. Read more about the anthropology program at College Of The Canyons
Moorpark College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 24 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. More information about a degree in anthropology from Moorpark College
East Los Angeles College came in at #7 for anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. About 12 anthropology degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from East Los Angeles College
Sierra College came in at #8 for anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. There were roughly 24 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Sierra College graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. See the full anthropology program report for Sierra College
Saddleback College earned the #9 position for anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. There were roughly 26 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $15,890 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707. Get the full anthropology details for Saddleback College
Mesa Community College came in at #10 for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. About 19 anthropology degrees were awarded at Mesa Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $54,730 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from Mesa Community College
Salt Lake Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Salt Lake Community College awarded about 14 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Salt Lake Community College earn around $42,031 in the first couple years of their career. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. See the full anthropology program report for Salt Lake Community College
Oxnard College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. About 13 anthropology degrees were awarded at Oxnard College in the most recent year. Get the full anthropology details for Oxnard College
Butte College landed the #13 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. There were roughly 12 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Butte College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Butte College earn around $67,048 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete this degree. Read more about the anthropology program at Butte College
Sacramento City College came in at #14 for anthropology this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. There were roughly 12 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Sacramento City College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete this degree. See the full anthropology program report for Sacramento City College
Santa Monica College landed the #15 spot for anthropology this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 24 anthropology degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in anthropology from Santa Monica College
Long Beach City College earned the #16 position for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Long Beach City College awarded about 30 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Long Beach City College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in anthropology from Long Beach City College
San Diego Mesa College placed #17 among the best anthropology schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 anthropology degrees were awarded at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,999. See the full anthropology program report for San Diego Mesa College
Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. There were roughly 16 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern College Chula Vista in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $49,358 in their early career. Southwestern College Chula Vista graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Get the full anthropology details for Southwestern College Chula Vista
Fresno City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Fresno City College awarded about 17 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $37,470 in their early career. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. See the full anthropology program report for Fresno City College
Fullerton College earned the #20 position for anthropology this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Fullerton College awarded about 18 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full anthropology details for Fullerton College
West Valley College placed #21 among the best anthropology schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Saratoga. About 12 anthropology degrees were awarded at West Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. West Valley College graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. See the full anthropology program report for West Valley College
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. About 15 anthropology degrees were awarded at College Of Southern Nevada in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. College Of Southern Nevada graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. More information about a degree in anthropology from College Of Southern Nevada
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #23 for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. About 20 anthropology degrees were awarded at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from Central New Mexico Community College
College Of The Sequoias earned the #24 position for anthropology this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. College Of The Sequoias awarded about 15 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,288. Read more about the anthropology program at College Of The Sequoias
Cabrillo College placed #25 among the best anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public institution. There were roughly 18 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Cabrillo College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cabrillo College generally make around $47,750. Cabrillo College graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at Cabrillo College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s anthropology ranking:
Explore the best anthropology schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 597 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.