Cultural Anthropology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Cultural Anthropology explores the diverse ways human societies organize their lives, express identity, and navigate social relationships across time and space. This interdisciplinary field investigates the complex interplay between culture, belief systems, social structures, and environmental contexts, equipping students with the tools to analyze and interpret human behavior in its broadest sense.
- Cultural Anthropology: The systematic study of human cultures, including customs, traditions, values, and social practices across different societies and historical periods.
- Anthropological Theory: Examination of foundational and contemporary frameworks that explain cultural development, social change, and human diversity from a comparative perspective.
- Ethnography: In-depth, immersive research methodology involving fieldwork to document and interpret the lived experiences and cultural practices of specific communities.
- Linguistics: The scientific study of language structure, evolution, and use, with emphasis on how language shapes thought, identity, and cultural expression.
- Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods: Training in both statistical analysis and interpretive techniques to collect, analyze, and evaluate cultural data through surveys, interviews, observation, and digital tools.
Cultural Anthropology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Cultural Anthropology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Cultural Anthropology degrees, including Managers, All Other, Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary and Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. 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 655,740 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 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1062 | $84,290 | $51,130 - $164,650 | 11,430 | N/A |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists 19-3091 | $64,910 | $44,510 - $104,510 | 8,070 | $31.21 |
Cultural Anthropology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $70,987 in Utah to $170,310 in Delaware—a 140% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, New Hampshire, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 655,740 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 Cultural Anthropology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 13 institutions offering Cultural 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 Cultural Anthropology is found at The New School (18 graduates), Missouri State University, Springfield (12 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYUH), Hawaii (12 graduates), University of Southern Maine (USM) (8 graduates), and Boston University (BU) (8 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 79 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The New School |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
12 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYUH) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Laie, Hawaii | Private | byuh.edu |
| University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Stonehill College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Easton, Massachusetts | Private | stonehill.edu |
| Creighton University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Ashford University (UAGC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | San Diego, California | Private | uagc.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Joplin, Missouri | Public | mssu.edu |
| Arcadia University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Glenside, Pennsylvania | Private | arcadia.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Cultural Anthropology programs
How much can I earn with a Cultural Anthropology degree?
Salaries for Cultural 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 $70,987 in Utah. Approximately 655,740 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 Cultural Anthropology programs?
Currently 13 accredited institutions offer Cultural Anthropology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The New School (18 graduates), Missouri State University, Springfield (12 graduates), and Brigham Young University (BYUH), Hawaii (12 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 Cultural Anthropology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 6 in 2010 to 79 in 2023-24. This represents a 1,217% 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 Cultural Anthropology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary, and Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 655,740 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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