Medical Anthropology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Medical Anthropology explores the complex interplay between human biology, culture, behavior, and societal structures in shaping health, illness, and healthcare systems across diverse populations. This interdisciplinary field investigates how cultural beliefs, social inequalities, and psychological processes influence medical practices, disease patterns, and access to care, offering critical insights for improving global health outcomes.
- Ethno-medicine: Examines traditional healing systems, indigenous knowledge, and cultural understandings of illness and treatment across different societies.
- Urban health: Analyzes health disparities and healthcare access within city environments, focusing on the impact of density, migration, and socioeconomic conditions.
- International health: Investigates global health challenges, cross-border disease patterns, and health policy through a cultural and structural lens.
- Psychiatric and psychological anthropology: Explores the cultural construction of mental health, emotional expression, and the social context of psychological distress and treatment.
- Aging: Studies the cultural, biological, and social dimensions of aging, including life course transitions and elder care practices in varied communities.
- Health and identity: Explores how personal and collective identities—shaped by gender, race, class, and nationality—interact with health experiences and medical decision-making.
Medical Anthropology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Medical Anthropology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Medical 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 |
Medical 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 Medical Anthropology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 13 institutions offering Medical 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 Medical Anthropology is found at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (103 graduates), Washington University in St Louis (WashU) (49 graduates), SUNY College, Geneseo (47 graduates), Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (37 graduates), and Ohio State University, Main Campus (28 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 347 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
|
103 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
49 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| SUNY College |
Bachelor's
|
47 | Geneseo, New York | Public | geneseo.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
37 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
28 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Other Award
|
25 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Master's
|
21 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| Creighton University |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
10 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| Swarthmore College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Private | swarthmore.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of California (UCSF) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | San Francisco, California | Public | ucsf.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Medical Anthropology programs
How much can I earn with a Medical Anthropology degree?
Salaries for Medical 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 Medical Anthropology programs?
Currently 13 accredited institutions offer Medical Anthropology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (103 graduates), Washington University in St Louis (WashU) (49 graduates), and SUNY College, Geneseo (47 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.
What career paths are available with a Medical 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.
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