Anthropology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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 597 schools to find the best for anthropology students.
University Of Chicago tops our 2026 ranking of the best anthropology schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 26 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 14 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $77,997 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
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Dartmouth College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,363 to complete this degree.
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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. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 11 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $33,208 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 66 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $36,211. Typical student debt for the program is $11,982.
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Duke University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Duke University awarded about 12 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $43,924. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
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Washington University In St Louis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 68 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.
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Harvard University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 anthropology degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #9 for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 34 anthropology degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
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University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot for anthropology this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 18 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $99,682 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #11 position for anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 106 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $31,420. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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University Of Maryland College Park earned the #12 position for anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 26 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $33,837. Students borrow a median of $20,070 to complete this degree.
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Brown University landed the #13 spot for anthropology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Brown University awarded about 15 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $62,820 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Berkeley landed the #14 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 75 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $28,661 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,949.
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Tufts University landed the #15 spot for anthropology this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 anthropology degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074.
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Princeton University came in at #16 for anthropology this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Princeton. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $67,532 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
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University Of California Los Angeles earned the #17 position for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 174 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $32,300. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
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University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #18 among the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 42 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $32,778. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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University Of California Irvine earned the #19 position for anthropology this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 54 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $30,509 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,667 to complete this degree.
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New York University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 37 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897.
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University Of California Davis landed the #21 spot for anthropology this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 56 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $28,059. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
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Wellesley College placed #22 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $31,973. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #23 spot for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 22 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $19,775 in student loans.
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Barnard College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Barnard College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $50,790 in their early career. Barnard College graduates carry a median of $17,609 in student loans.
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University Of Florida came in at #25 for anthropology this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 94 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $29,036 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,639.
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Rest of the Top 50 Anthropology Schools
These schools also placed among the best for anthropology this year:
This ranking is produced 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.
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).
