Compare 234 Anthropology. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $42,088. Top programs: $83,493+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Anthropology tells a different story. Across 234 programs, earnings range from $17,717 to $83,493—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The difference between the best and median program can shape a career trajectory in ways that institutional prestige alone never predicts.
Topping the list, Columbia University's Anthropology program delivers $83,493 in median earnings—nearly double the $42,088 field average. Duke (ranked #2) follows at $81,120, and Emory at $78,768. What these numbers confirm: the programs setting the earnings ceiling belong to selective private institutions, but the gap between top and average programs spans more than $40,000—making program-level evaluation essential.
For students borrowing independently, Duke leads on affordability: just $13,000 in student debt produces a 3.0% payment burden—firmly 'Excellent' by GPS standards. For families factoring in parent loans, CUNY Lehman College is the standout, with a combined family debt of $22,905 and an 8.9% family burden, rated 'Good.' The best financial outcome depends entirely on who's signing the loans.
Highest program earnings: $83,493
Strong outcomes ($68,161) with 63% acceptance
3.0% payment burden | Excellent
8.9% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $83,493 | 16 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $81,120 | 21 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Good |
| #3 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $78,768 | 52 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Manageable |
| #4 | $71,018 | 91 | $17,500 | Excellent | $24,585 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | $70,846 | 33 | $17,500 | Excellent | $44,481 | Challenging |
| #6 | $68,161 | 6 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $66,562 | 40 | $24,300 | Excellent | $37,095 | Challenging |
| #8 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $65,172 | 35 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Challenging |
| #9 | $64,359 | 104 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $62,674 | 29 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Manageable |
| #11 | $61,300 | 37 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Manageable | |
| #12 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $60,841 | 25 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Challenging |
| #13 | Cuny Lehman CollegePublic | $60,488 | 85 | $10,950 | Excellent | $11,955 | Good |
| #14 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $59,024 | 30 | $24,157 | Good | $54,045 | High |
| #15 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $58,329 | 18 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Manageable |
| #16 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $57,423 | 22 | $25,648 | Good | $35,451 | High |
| #17 | $56,982 | 61 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Manageable | |
| #18 | $56,847 | 47 | $20,500 | Good | $33,574 | Challenging | |
| #19 | $56,836 | 101 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Manageable | |
| #20 | $56,589 | 82 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Manageable | |
| #21 | $56,468 | 9 | $21,500 | Good | $25,294 | Challenging | |
| #22 | $56,238 | 140 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Challenging | |
| #23 | Suny OneontaPublic | $55,981 | 15 | $19,812 | Good | $24,845 | Challenging |
| #24 | $55,879 | 12 | $23,250 | Good | $16,000 | Manageable | |
| #25 | Monmouth UniversityPrivate | $55,868 | 10 | $27,000 | Good | $49,390 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
