Anthropology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Anthropology is the comprehensive study of human societies, cultures, and biological evolution across time and space. This interdisciplinary field explores the origins, development, and diversity of humanity through rigorous scientific and humanistic inquiry. Students engage with both material and social dimensions of human life to understand the complexities of cultural expression, social organization, and biological adaptation.
- Biological Anthropology: Examines human evolution, genetic variation, primate behavior, and the biological foundations of human adaptation.
- Cultural Anthropology: Investigates the customs, beliefs, social structures, and symbolic systems that shape human societies around the world.
- Archaeology: Unearths and interprets material remains to reconstruct past human lifeways, technological development, and societal change.
- Linguistic Anthropology: Studies the relationship between language, culture, and human cognition, including how language influences identity and social interaction.
- Applied Anthropology: Uses anthropological knowledge to address contemporary challenges in public health, conservation, education, development, and policy-making.
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 25 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 University of California (UCSD), San Diego (28 graduates), Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) (19 graduates), Boise State University (BBU) (17 graduates), University of Maine (UMaine) (14 graduates), and University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 150 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 California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Other Award
|
17 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Eastern University |
Master's
|
9 | Saint Davids, Pennsylvania | Private | eastern.edu |
| College of the Desert (COD) |
Associate's
|
7 | Palm Desert, California | Public | collegeofthedesert.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| College of Charleston (CofC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | cofc.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
4 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAB) |
Master's
|
3 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Cornell College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Private | cornellcollege.edu |
| Drake University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Des Moines, Iowa | Private | drake.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| University of Mary (UMary) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Private | umary.edu |
| Swarthmore College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Private | swarthmore.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
| Butler University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
|
1 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Other Award
|
1 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.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 25 accredited institutions offer Anthropology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCSD), San Diego (28 graduates), Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) (19 graduates), and Boise State University (BBU) (17 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 84 in 2010 to 150 in 2023-24. This represents a 79% 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.
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