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# Best Anthropology Programs in the South (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Regional list from [Best Anthropology Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-anthropology-programs/)

This page ranks the 62 Anthropology programs in the South by the median earnings of Anthropology graduates four years after completing. [Duke University](/school/duke-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, reporting median earnings of $81,120 for its graduates four years after completing.

Across the listed programs, the median earnings figure is $42,774, with a spread of $62,075 from $81,120 to $19,045. For 11 of the 62 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

Public institutions account for 84% of the list, with 52 public and 10 private nonprofit schools represented. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley posts the lowest average net price at $4,831.

The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

62 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Duke University · Durham, NC | $81,120 | $29,612 | $735 | 5.7% |
|  | [Duke University](/school/duke-university/majors/) reports [$81,120 in median earnings](/school/duke-university/outcomes/) of Anthropology graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 6%. |
| 2 | Emory University · Atlanta, GA | $78,768 | $22,585 | $7,363 | 10.7% |
|  | [Emory University](/school/emory-university/majors/) ranks 2nd on this list, with [median earnings of $78,768](/school/emory-university/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 3 | George Washington University · Washington, DC | $65,172 | $36,586 | $17,440 | 47.1% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Washington, [George Washington University](/school/george-washington-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $36,586](/school/george-washington-university/cost/) and median earnings of $65,172 four years after completing. |
| 4 | James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA | $60,841 | $23,322 | $11,444 | 71.5% |
|  | [James Madison University](/school/james-madison-university/majors/) [admits 72% of applicants](/school/james-madison-university/admissions/) and its Anthropology graduates earn a median of $60,841 four years after completing. |
| 5 | Tulane University of Louisiana · New Orleans, LA | $56,847 | $39,949 | $16,126 | 14.0% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a [median of $20,500](/school/tulane-university-of-louisiana/outcomes/) in federal loans at [Tulane University of Louisiana](/school/tulane-university-of-louisiana/majors/), where the Anthropology program reports median earnings of $56,847. |
| 6 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC | $56,589 | $11,655 | $2,004 | 15.3% |
|  | [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/majors/) [ranks 50th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $56,589 in median earnings for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 7 | Georgia Southern University · Statesboro, GA | $55,879 | $15,267 | $12,162 | 87.9% |
|  | [Georgia Southern University](/school/georgia-southern-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $55,879](/school/georgia-southern-university/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $15,267. |
| 8 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK | $55,399 | $15,300 | $10,509 | 76.6% |
|  | [University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus](/school/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus/majors/) ranks 8th on this list and shows an [average net price of $10,509](/school/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 9 | College of Charleston · Charleston, SC | $53,567 | $18,960 | $12,133 | 60.0% |
|  | College of Charleston reports median earnings of $53,567 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 22 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 10 | University of Maryland-College Park · College Park, MD | $53,038 | $15,678 | $2,962 | 44.8% |
|  | [University of Maryland-College Park](/school/university-of-maryland-college-park/majors/) [admits 45% of applicants](/school/university-of-maryland-college-park/admissions/) and carries a median federal debt of $19,000 across all of the school's borrowers who completed. |
| 11 | American University · Washington, DC | $53,036 | $41,943 | $23,233 | 62.0% |
|  | [American University](/school/american-university/majors/) [ranks 901st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/american-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and its Anthropology graduates earn a median of $53,036 four years after completing. |
| 12 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $52,227 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
|  | [Texas A&M University-College Station](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/majors/) reports [median earnings of $52,227](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $21,315. |
| 13 | University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA | $51,811 | $21,565 | $8,174 | 16.8% |
|  | [University of Virginia-Main Campus](/school/university-of-virginia-main-campus/majors/) reports [median earnings of $51,811](/school/university-of-virginia-main-campus/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $21,565. |
| 14 | Baylor University · Waco, TX | $50,699 | $41,104 | $22,024 | 51.3% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Waco, [Baylor University](/school/baylor-university/majors/) ranks 14th on this list and shows an [admission rate of 51%](/school/baylor-university/admissions/). |
| 15 | Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA | $49,641 | $23,433 | $17,512 | 92.6% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left [Virginia Commonwealth University](/school/virginia-commonwealth-university/majors/) with a [median of $21,500](/school/virginia-commonwealth-university/outcomes/) in federal loans, and the school's Anthropology completers earn $49,641 four years after completing. |
| 16 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $48,486 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
|  | [The University of Texas at Austin](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/majors/) [ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $48,486 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 17 | University of North Florida · Jacksonville, FL | $48,132 | $10,154 | $6,647 | 53.2% |
|  | With an [average net price of $10,154,](/school/university-of-north-florida/cost/) [University of North Florida](/school/university-of-north-florida/majors/) lists $48,132 in median earnings for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 18 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $47,348 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
|  | [University of Florida](/school/university-of-florida/majors/) posts an [admission rate of 24%](/school/university-of-florida/admissions/) and median earnings of $47,348 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 19 | Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, GA | $47,179 | $15,048 | $12,235 | 69.2% |
|  | [Kennesaw State University](/school/kennesaw-state-university/majors/) [ranks 24th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/kennesaw-state-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Anthropology graduates earn a median of $47,179 four years after completing. |
| 20 | University of West Georgia · Carrollton, GA | $46,740 | $12,786 | $10,339 | 51.6% |
|  | Median federal debt of $23,970 across all of [University of West Georgia](/school/university-of-west-georgia/majors/)'s borrowers who completed coincides with [median earnings of $46,740](/school/university-of-west-georgia/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 21 | University of Memphis · Memphis, TN | $46,560 | $12,397 | $10,607 | 72.0% |
|  | [University of Memphis](/school/university-of-memphis/majors/) reports an [average net price of $12,397](/school/university-of-memphis/cost/) and median earnings of $46,560 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 22 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC | $45,890 | $17,303 | $6,382 | 41.7% |
|  | [North Carolina State University at Raleigh](/school/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh/majors/) [admits 42% of applicants](/school/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh/admissions/) and lists median earnings of $45,890 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 23 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $45,809 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 81.8% |
|  | [Western Carolina University](/school/western-carolina-university/majors/) ranks 23rd on this list, with [median earnings of $45,809](/school/western-carolina-university/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $13,315. |
| 24 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $45,664 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left [University of North Texas](/school/university-of-north-texas/majors/) with a [median of $19,250](/school/university-of-north-texas/outcomes/) in federal loans, and the school's Anthropology completers earn $45,664 four years after completing. |
| 25 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College · Baton Rouge, LA | $44,738 | $19,151 | $13,056 | 73.3% |
|  | [Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College](/school/louisiana-state-university-and-agricultural-mechanical-college/majors/) reports [median earnings of $44,738](/school/louisiana-state-university-and-agricultural-mechanical-college/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, and ranks 81st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 26 | University of South Florida · Tampa, FL | $44,283 | $9,812 | $4,122 | 43.2% |
|  | [University of South Florida](/school/university-of-south-florida/majors/) carries an [average net price of $9,812,](/school/university-of-south-florida/cost/) and its Anthropology graduates four years after completing earned a median of $44,283. |
| 27 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC | $44,228 | $10,965 | $7,305 | 88.5% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 89%](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/admissions/), [University of North Carolina at Greensboro](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/majors/) reports median earnings of $44,228 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 28 | University of Arkansas · Fayetteville, AR | $43,930 | $18,209 | $14,319 | 74.3% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a [median of $21,500](/school/university-of-arkansas/outcomes/) in federal loans at [University of Arkansas](/school/university-of-arkansas/majors/), where the Anthropology program's median earnings are $43,930 four years after completing. |
| 29 | University of Louisville · Louisville, KY | $43,564 | $17,988 | $15,138 | 79.4% |
|  | [University of Louisville](/school/university-of-louisville/majors/) ranks 29th on this list, with a [median of $43,564](/school/university-of-louisville/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 79%. |
| 30 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $42,913 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
|  | [Texas Tech University](/school/texas-tech-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $42,913](/school/texas-tech-university/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $19,070. |
| 31 | Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL | $42,791 | $11,297 | $5,938 | 24.2% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 24%](/school/florida-state-university/admissions/), [Florida State University](/school/florida-state-university/majors/) ranks 65th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 32 | University of South Carolina-Columbia · Columbia, SC | $42,758 | $22,811 | $12,634 | 60.2% |
|  | [University of South Carolina-Columbia](/school/university-of-south-carolina-columbia/majors/)'s Anthropology graduates earned a [median of $42,758](/school/university-of-south-carolina-columbia/outcomes/) four years after completing, and the school-wide median federal debt for borrowers who completed is $21,500. |
| 33 | University of Georgia · Athens, GA | $42,667 | $13,936 | $8,085 | 37.7% |
|  | An [average net price of $8,085](/school/university-of-georgia/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a median of $42,667 for Anthropology graduates four years after completing at [University of Georgia](/school/university-of-georgia/majors/). |
| 34 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $42,146 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
|  | [University of Houston](/school/university-of-houston/majors/) posts [median earnings of $42,146](/school/university-of-houston/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 74%. |
| 35 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $42,107 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 90.1% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a [median of $20,231](/school/appalachian-state-university/outcomes/) in federal loans at [Appalachian State University](/school/appalachian-state-university/majors/), and the school ranks 320th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 36 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · Knoxville, TN | $41,767 | $18,976 | $10,029 | 41.6% |
|  | [The University of Tennessee-Knoxville](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville/majors/)'s Anthropology graduates four years after completing earned a [median of $41,767,](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville/outcomes/) with 60 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 37 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $41,472 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
|  | [The University of Texas at San Antonio](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/majors/) reports [median earnings of $41,472](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $10,836. |
| 38 | St. Mary's College of Maryland · St. Mary's City, MD | $41,309 | $18,441 | $2,889 | 68.6% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed at St. Mary's College of Maryland left with a median of $21,000 in federal loans, and the school admits 69% of applicants. |
| 39 | East Carolina University · Greenville, NC | $40,927 | $15,739 | $10,046 | 89.2% |
|  | [East Carolina University](/school/east-carolina-university/majors/) ranks 39th on this list and posts an [admission rate of 89%](/school/east-carolina-university/admissions/), with 28 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 40 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $40,706 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
|  | With an [average net price of $16,805,](/school/texas-state-university/cost/) [Texas State University](/school/texas-state-university/majors/) shows median earnings of $40,706 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 41 | Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY | $40,415 | $10,990 | $7,087 | 93.9% |
|  | [Western Kentucky University](/school/western-kentucky-university/majors/) sits 41st on this page and reports an [average net price of $7,087](/school/western-kentucky-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 42 | Georgia State University · Atlanta, GA | $40,306 | $15,931 | $13,787 | 55.4% |
|  | [Georgia State University](/school/georgia-state-university/majors/) records [median earnings of $40,306](/school/georgia-state-university/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, and its Azimuth composite rank is 44th among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 43 | University of Central Florida · Orlando, FL | $39,319 | $10,411 | $5,816 | 40.1% |
|  | School-wide median federal debt at [University of Central Florida](/school/university-of-central-florida/majors/) is $18,190, while its Anthropology graduates earned a [median of $39,319](/school/university-of-central-florida/outcomes/) four years after completing. |
| 44 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $39,112 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 79.6% |
|  | [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/majors/) ranks 44th on this list, with an [admission rate of 80%](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/admissions/) and 38 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 45 | Middle Tennessee State University · Murfreesboro, TN | $38,727 | $13,359 | $9,289 | 69.1% |
|  | An [average net price of $9,289](/school/middle-tennessee-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median earnings of $38,727 for Anthropology graduates at [Middle Tennessee State University](/school/middle-tennessee-state-university/majors/) four years after completing. |
| 46 | Wake Forest University · Winston-Salem, NC | $36,668 | $28,719 | $6,525 | 21.7% |
|  | [Wake Forest University](/school/wake-forest-university/majors/), a private nonprofit university in Winston-Salem, [admits 22% of applicants](/school/wake-forest-university/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $36,668 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 47 | The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL | $35,701 | $22,420 | $19,169 | 76.7% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed at [The University of Alabama](/school/the-university-of-alabama/majors/) left with a [median of $22,750](/school/the-university-of-alabama/outcomes/) in federal loans, and the school's average net price is $22,420. |
| 48 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, TX | $34,505 | $4,831 | $3,785 | 94.2% |
|  | [The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley](/school/the-university-of-texas-rio-grande-valley/majors/) holds the lowest average net price on the page at $4,831, and its Azimuth composite rank is 11th among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 49 | Washington College · Chestertown, MD | $33,938 | $27,898 | $17,804 | 56.9% |
|  | Washington College reports median earnings of $33,938 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, with 8 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 50 | University of North Carolina Wilmington · Wilmington, NC | $33,461 | $20,109 | $10,778 | 64.2% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed at [University of North Carolina Wilmington](/school/university-of-north-carolina-wilmington/majors/) left with a [median of $19,500](/school/university-of-north-carolina-wilmington/outcomes/) in federal loans, and the school ranks 50th on this list. |
| 51 | Florida Atlantic University · Boca Raton, FL | $33,389 | $8,752 | $3,022 | 66.1% |
|  | [Florida Atlantic University](/school/florida-atlantic-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $8,752](/school/florida-atlantic-university/cost/) and a median earnings figure of $33,389 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 52 | The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington, TX | $32,834 | $13,951 | $11,893 | 79.9% |
|  | [The University of Texas at Arlington](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-arlington/majors/) holds an [Azimuth composite rank of 8th](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-arlington/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside an admission rate of 80%. |
| 53 | University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL | $31,991 | $18,749 | $16,172 | 88.2% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 88%](/school/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham/admissions/), [University of Alabama at Birmingham](/school/university-of-alabama-at-birmingham/majors/) reports median earnings of $31,991 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing. |
| 54 | Eckerd College · Saint Petersburg, FL | $25,967 | $38,071 | $29,615 | 75.8% |
|  | Eckerd College, a private nonprofit institution in Saint Petersburg, has an average net price of $38,071 and ranks 54th on this list. |
| 55 | University of West Florida · Pensacola, FL | $25,194 | $9,364 | $4,815 | 58.2% |
|  | [University of West Florida](/school/university-of-west-florida/majors/) reports [median earnings of $25,194](/school/university-of-west-florida/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $9,364. |
| 56 | University of Miami · Coral Gables, FL | $24,035 | $37,244 | $15,978 | 18.9% |
|  | An [admission rate of 19%](/school/university-of-miami/admissions/) and median earnings of $24,035 for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing are reported by [University of Miami](/school/university-of-miami/majors/). |
| 57 | Eastern Kentucky University · Richmond, KY | $23,649 | $11,040 | $8,591 | 77.6% |
|  | [Eastern Kentucky University](/school/eastern-kentucky-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $11,040](/school/eastern-kentucky-university/cost/) and an Azimuth composite rank of 382nd among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 58 | Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS | $21,964 | $17,595 | $14,332 | 77.6% |
|  | [Mississippi State University](/school/mississippi-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $21,964](/school/mississippi-state-university/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, with 18 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 59 | East Tennessee State University · Johnson City, TN | $21,508 | $15,983 | $12,433 | 86.2% |
|  | [East Tennessee State University](/school/east-tennessee-state-university/majors/) has an [admission rate of 86%](/school/east-tennessee-state-university/admissions/) and an average net price of $15,983. |
| 60 | Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY | $21,052 | $8,191 | $2,603 | 67.7% |
|  | [Northern Kentucky University](/school/northern-kentucky-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $21,052](/school/northern-kentucky-university/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $8,191. |
| 61 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $20,687 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
|  | [University of Kentucky](/school/university-of-kentucky/majors/) reports [median earnings of $20,687](/school/university-of-kentucky/outcomes/) for its Anthropology graduates four years after completing, with 35 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 62 | The University of Texas at El Paso · El Paso, TX | $19,045 | $9,403 | $7,863 | 99.9% |
|  | [The University of Texas at El Paso](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-el-paso/majors/), a public university in El Paso, [admits 100% of applicants](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-el-paso/admissions/) and posts an average net price of $9,403. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Anthropology graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the South appear. The figure captures federally aided completers of the Anthropology program who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 11 of the 62 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The gap between Duke University and Emory University is $2,352, with the top program reporting $81,120 and the second $78,768.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Anthropology Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-anthropology-programs/)
-   [Best Colleges in the South](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-south/)
-   [Best Anthropology Programs in the Midwest](/rankings/best-anthropology-programs-in-the-midwest/)
-   [Best Anthropology Programs in the West](/rankings/best-anthropology-programs-in-the-west/)
-   [Best Anthropology Programs in the Northeast](/rankings/best-anthropology-programs-in-the-northeast/)