Anthropology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Anthropology explores the biological, cultural, and evolutionary dimensions of human life across time and space. This interdisciplinary field investigates the origins, diversity, and adaptive strategies of Homo sapiens and their primate relatives, drawing on scientific methods and comparative analysis to understand human development from ancient fossils to modern societies.
- Biological Anthropology: Examines human evolution, genetic variation, and the biological adaptations that have shaped our species over millennia.
- Human and Mammalian Anatomy: Focuses on the structure and function of the human body in relation to other mammals, providing foundational knowledge for comparative studies.
- Cell Biology: Investigates the fundamental units of life, including cellular processes critical to understanding human development and evolutionary change.
- Paleontology: Studies fossil remains to reconstruct past life forms, track evolutionary trajectories, and interpret ancient environments.
- Human Culture and Behavior: Analyzes social systems, belief structures, language, and behavioral patterns across diverse populations and historical periods.
- Neuroscience: Explores the biological basis of cognition, emotion, and behavior through the study of the nervous system and brain evolution.
- Forensic Anthropology: Applies skeletal analysis and scientific techniques to identify human remains in legal, archaeological, or historical contexts.
- Anatomical Reconstruction: Involves the detailed modeling and visualization of ancient human and primate anatomy based on fossil evidence.
- Comparative Anatomy: Compares anatomical structures across species to infer evolutionary relationships and functional adaptations.
- Laboratory Science and Methods: Emphasizes hands-on training in scientific experimentation, data collection, and analytical techniques essential for rigorous anthropological research.
Anthropology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Anthropology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Anthropology degrees, including Managers, All Other, Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary and Anthropologists and Archeologists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 644,310 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1061 | $95,770 | $51,380 - $169,090 | 5,260 | N/A |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists 19-3091 | $64,910 | $44,510 - $104,510 | 8,070 | $31.21 |
Anthropology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $72,460 in Tennessee to $170,310 in Delaware—a 135% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 644,310 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Anthropology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 7 institutions offering Anthropology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Anthropology is found at George Washington University (GW) (15 graduates), University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln (8 graduates), New York University (NYU) (7 graduates), Boston University (BU) (5 graduates), and Mercyhurst University (4 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 43 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington University (GW) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
7 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Mercyhurst University |
Master's
|
4 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | mercyhurst.edu |
| Harvard University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
2 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Anthropology programs
How much can I earn with a Anthropology degree?
Salaries for Anthropology graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $95,770. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $170,310 compared to $72,460 in Tennessee. Approximately 644,310 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Anthropology programs?
Currently 7 accredited institutions offer Anthropology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include George Washington University (GW) (15 graduates), University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln (8 graduates), and New York University (NYU) (7 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Anthropology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 19 in 2010 to a peak of 44 in 2020, before declining slightly to 43 in 2023-24. This represents a 126% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Anthropology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary, and Anthropologists and Archeologists. Related occupations employ approximately 644,310 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Social Sciences Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Social Sciences field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Political Science and Government
Any instructional program in political science and government not listed above.
Sociology
A program that focuses on the systematic study of human social institutions and social relationships. Includes instruction in social theory, sociological research methods,...
Applied and Public Sociology
A program that focuses on the application of sociological theory, methods, skills, and research to resolve particular issues in real-world settings. Includes instruction...
Rural Sociology
A program that focuses on the structure and function of rural societies. Includes instruction in sociological theory, research methods, statistics, sociology of agriculture,...
Sociology
Any instructional program in sociology not listed above.
Urban Studies and Affairs
A program that focuses on the application of social science principles to the study of urban institutions and the forces influencing urban social...