Compare 56 Anthropology. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $34,447.
The highest-earning Anthropology program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $18K earnings gap across 56 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Columbia University's Anthropology program leads with graduates earning $57,281, well above the $34,447 average. But Brandeis follows close behind at $54,960, while New York University reaches $53,355—demonstrating that multiple institutions compete at the top rather than one dominant program.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. CUNY Lehman College graduates borrow $10,950 and face just a 6.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their $46,493 post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $57,281
Strong outcomes ($52,135) with 89.5% acceptance
6.3% payment burden | Excellent
14.2% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $57,281 | 37 | $21,500 | Good | $35,000 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $54,960 | 37 | $25,648 | Good | $35,451 | High |
| #3 | New York UniversityPrivate | $53,355 | 25 | $20,500 | Good | $64,795 | High |
| #4 | Monmouth UniversityPrivate | $52,135 | 13 | $27,000 | Manageable | $49,390 | High |
| #5 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $49,465 | 38 | $18,500 | Good | $27,270 | High |
| #6 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $47,165 | 18 | $23,250 | Manageable | $39,000 | High |
| #7 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $46,873 | 32 | $24,300 | Manageable | $37,095 | High |
| #8 | Cuny Lehman CollegePublic | $46,493 | 64 | $10,950 | Excellent | $11,955 | Manageable |
| #9 | Suny OneontaPublic | $45,936 | 13 | $19,812 | Good | $24,845 | High |
| #10 | Colby CollegePrivate | $44,971 | 11 | $19,157 | Good | $59,570 | High |
| #11 | Temple UniversityPublic | $43,997 | 23 | $24,395 | Manageable | $36,495 | High |
| #12 | Cuny Hunter CollegePublic | $43,909 | 44 | $11,000 | Excellent | $20,252 | Challenging |
| #13 | Bryn Mawr CollegePrivate | $43,499 | 14 | $25,000 | Manageable | $40,058 | High |
| #14 | $42,219 | 65 | $24,250 | Manageable | $35,031 | High | |
| #15 | University At AlbanyPublic | $41,534 | 21 | $19,500 | Manageable | $22,398 | High |
| #16 | $41,386 | 14 | $26,798 | Challenging | $26,073 | High | |
| #17 | $40,420 | 26 | $21,974 | Manageable | $17,163 | High | |
| #18 | University At BuffaloPublic | $40,392 | 28 | $19,000 | Manageable | $20,734 | High |
| #19 | $40,198 | 30 | $21,500 | Manageable | $35,324 | High | |
| #20 | University Of VermontPublic | $39,318 | 39 | $20,951 | Manageable | $48,000 | High |
| #21 | $39,232 | 5 | $23,725 | Challenging | $17,794 | High | |
| #22 | Smith CollegePrivate | $39,045 | 8 | $17,550 | Manageable | $30,366 | High |
| #23 | Cuny Queens CollegePublic | $38,056 | 39 | $10,298 | Good | $17,680 | High |
| #24 | $35,895 | 28 | $21,500 | Challenging | $25,294 | High | |
| #25 | $35,525 | 26 | $25,000 | High | $38,368 | High |
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 →
