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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Anthropology Schools in the Southeast Region

59 Colleges in the United States
1,754 Anthropology Degrees Awarded
$34,559 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 81 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for anthropology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Anthropology in the Southeast Region

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.

Top Schools in Anthropology

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Our analysis ranked Vanderbilt University the best school in the country for a degree in anthropology. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. 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. Read more about the anthropology program at Vanderbilt University

2

Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 75 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $36,211 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,982. Read more about the anthropology program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

3
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at Duke University, which ranked #3. 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. There were roughly 17 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Duke University earn around $43,924 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. See the full anthropology program report for Duke University

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the top schools for anthropology. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 137 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $40,178 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,639 to complete this degree. Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Florida

5

University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 37 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $30,609 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,885. Get the full anthropology details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

6
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University placed #6 among the best anthropology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $36,700. Emory University graduates carry a median of $21,515 in student loans. See the full anthropology program report for Emory University

7

College Of William And Mary ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 30 anthropology degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $53,338 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,067. Get the full anthropology details for College Of William And Mary

8
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #8 among the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 36 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Students borrow a median of $20,725 to complete this degree. See the full anthropology program report for Florida State University

9
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University earned the #9 position for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 31 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $30,686 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in anthropology from James Madison University

10

George Mason University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from George Mason University earn around $37,081 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,937 in student loans. More information about a degree in anthropology from George Mason University

11
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College landed the #11 spot for anthropology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 12 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Rhodes College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $40,807 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,078. See the full anthropology program report for Rhodes College

12

University Of Georgia landed the #12 spot for anthropology this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 35 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $20,396. Typical student debt for the program is $20,366. Get the full anthropology details for University Of Georgia

13

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #13 position for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 36 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $29,518 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the anthropology program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

14
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami earned the #14 position for anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 15 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Miami

15

The University Of Tennessee landed the #15 spot for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 112 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $24,772 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at The University Of Tennessee

16

Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #16 for anthropology this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 35 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $24,042. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full anthropology details for Tulane University Of Louisiana

17
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #17 among the best anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 13 anthropology degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Clemson University earn around $53,834 in the first couple years of their career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at Clemson University

18

University Of Florida Online earned the #18 position for anthropology this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida Online graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida Online 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. See the full anthropology program report for University Of Florida Online

19

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #19 among the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 73 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $24,331 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,888 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of South Florida Main Campus

20

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #20 spot for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 anthropology degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $22,732 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,996 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from Virginia Commonwealth University

21

University Of Louisville came in at #21 for anthropology this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 23 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $29,966 early in their careers. University Of Louisville graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full anthropology program report for University Of Louisville

22

University Of Kentucky landed the #22 spot for anthropology this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $25,668. Students borrow a median of $22,494 to complete this degree. Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Kentucky

23

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 42 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $21,787 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,897 to complete this degree. Get the full anthropology details for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

24

University Of North Florida came in at #24 for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 13 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of North Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $32,477. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. Get the full anthropology details for University Of North Florida

25

University Of Central Florida ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 119 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $26,922 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $20,375 in student loans. Get the full anthropology details for University Of Central Florida

Rest of the Top 50 Anthropology Schools

These schools also placed among the best for anthropology this year:

26
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC
34
35
36
37
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
46
Rollins College crest
Rollins College
Winter Park, FL
47
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
48
49
50

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Notes and References

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 · 81 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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