Compare 237 Anthropology. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $34,770. Top programs: $68,161+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Anthropology tells a different story. Across 237 programs, earnings range from $48,496 to $68,161—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Southern Methodist University's Anthropology program leads with graduates earning $68,161, well above the $34,770 average across all programs. Duke follows at $65,916, while Columbia reaches $57,281. These outcomes demonstrate that program-level factors drive success more than institutional prestige alone.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Duke graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 4.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Southern Methodist offers similar affordability at 5.9% burden, proving that top Anthropology programs can deliver both strong outcomes and manageable debt.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $68,161 | 12 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $65,916 | 12 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Manageable |
| #3 | $57,281 | 37 | $21,500 | Good | $35,000 | Challenging | |
| #4 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $55,714 | 26 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | High |
| #5 | $55,660 | 20 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,033 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $55,460 | 54 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $54,960 | 37 | $25,648 | Good | $35,451 | High |
| #8 | $54,062 | 91 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $54,040 | 34 | $24,000 | Good | $31,458 | High | |
| #10 | New York UniversityPrivate | $53,355 | 25 | $20,500 | Good | $64,795 | High |
| #11 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $53,024 | 50 | $18,250 | Good | $30,480 | Challenging |
| #12 | Monmouth UniversityPrivate | $52,135 | 13 | $27,000 | Manageable | $49,390 | High |
| #13 | $51,191 | 41 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Challenging | |
| #14 | $50,875 | 44 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $50,422 | 51 | $19,000 | Good | $35,200 | High | |
| #16 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $49,465 | 38 | $18,500 | Good | $27,270 | High |
| #17 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $49,003 | 29 | $20,449 | Good | $30,881 | High |
| #18 | $48,746 | 37 | $13,750 | Excellent | $16,538 | Manageable | |
| #19 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $48,634 | 29 | $23,000 | Manageable | $34,512 | High |
| #20 | Rhodes CollegePrivate | $48,496 | 13 | $21,761 | Good | $52,509 | High |
| #21 | $48,435 | 173 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Challenging | |
| #22 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $47,827 | 30 | $20,093 | Good | $37,285 | High |
| #23 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $47,280 | 58 | $21,221 | Good | $28,923 | High |
| #24 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $47,165 | 18 | $23,250 | Manageable | $39,000 | High |
| #25 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $47,067 | 43 | $18,000 | Good | $17,000 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
