2026 Best Anthropology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Anthropology bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 597 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Anthropology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Dartmouth College to be the best Anthropology school in the United States. Set in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $14,363 in student loans. Read more about Dartmouth College
You'll be in good company at Rice University, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical Anthropology student debt is $11,904. Read the full report on Rice University
The strong Anthropology programs at Williams College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Williams College Anthropology students take on a median of $12,615 in debt. Read the full report on Williams College
A rank of #4 makes Duke University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical Anthropology student debt is $13,296. Get the full Duke University report
A rank of #5 makes Princeton University one of the top choices in the United States. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit school based in Princeton, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Princeton University Anthropology students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. See the full Princeton University profile
Bowdoin College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Brunswick, ME. Bowdoin College graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. The median Anthropology program debt is $20,658. Get the full Bowdoin College report
Amherst College did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Amherst, MA, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete their Anthropology program here. Get the full Amherst College report
Vanderbilt University placed #8 among Anthropology schools in the United States. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Typical Anthropology student debt is $13,975. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Pomona College landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based in Claremont, CA, Pomona College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,420. Read the full report on Pomona College
Yale University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Read more about Yale University
Stanford University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical Anthropology student debt is $10,492. More on Stanford University
University Of Chicago landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. University Of Chicago Anthropology students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. Read more about University Of Chicago
Northwestern University placed #13 among Anthropology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Anthropology program here. More on Northwestern University
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
University Of Notre Dame placed #15 among Anthropology schools in the United States. Set in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. The median Anthropology program debt is $19,891. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
Harvard University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. The median Anthropology program debt is $16,616. See the full Harvard University profile
Johns Hopkins University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Anthropology program here. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
Bates College placed #18 among Anthropology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lewiston, ME. Bates College posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Students from in state pay about $66,590 in tuition and fees. Typical Anthropology student debt is $12,226. Read the full report on Bates College
Cornell University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. More on Cornell University
Wake Forest University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. Wake Forest University Anthropology students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. Get the full Wake Forest University report
Brown University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete their Anthropology program here. Read more about Brown University
Barnard College landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Barnard College graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,888. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete their Anthropology program here. Read the full report on Barnard College
Augustana College South Dakota ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. Based in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. Augustana College South Dakota graduates 73% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. Typical Anthropology student debt is $26,217. Get the full Augustana College South Dakota report
Depauw University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Greencastle, IN, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,070. Students borrow a median of $26,174 to complete their Anthropology program here. Get the full Depauw University report
Bucknell University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bucknell University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,812. Graduates carry a median of $25,951 in student loans. Read the full report on Bucknell University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Anthropology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Haverford College landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Haverford, PA, Haverford College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. Read the full report on Haverford College
Colgate University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Based in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,306. The median Anthropology program debt is $16,286. Get the full Colgate University report
University Of California Los Angeles placed #28 among Anthropology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. University Of California Los Angeles Anthropology students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. The median Anthropology program debt is $13,885. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Wellesley College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit school based in Wellesley, MA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Typical Anthropology student debt is $11,075. Read the full report on Wellesley College
Santa Clara University placed #31 among Anthropology schools in the United States. Set in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. Graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
Georgetown University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Typical Anthropology student debt is $16,483. See the full Georgetown University profile
Trinity College landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Located in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,770. Graduates carry a median of $23,667 in student loans. Get the full Trinity College report
George Washington University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. George Washington University Anthropology students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full George Washington University profile
James Madison University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. The median Anthropology program debt is $20,500. Read the full report on James Madison University
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,949 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Washington University In St Louis placed #37 among Anthropology schools in the United States. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More on Washington University In St Louis
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Anthropology students take on a median of $19,775 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Hamilton College came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Clinton, NY. Hamilton College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Hamilton College Anthropology students take on a median of $16,131 in debt. More on Hamilton College
College Of William And Mary placed #40 among Anthropology schools in the United States. Set in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Typical Anthropology student debt is $19,067. Get the full College Of William And Mary report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Anthropology students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Grinnell College landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Set in Grinnell, IA, Grinnell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. The median Anthropology program debt is $17,154. Read the full report on Grinnell College
College Of The Holy Cross placed #43 among Anthropology schools in the United States. College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit school based in Worcester, MA. College Of The Holy Cross graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. Graduates carry a median of $26,387 in student loans. Get the full College Of The Holy Cross report
Tufts University placed #44 among Anthropology schools in the United States. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete their Anthropology program here. Read more about Tufts University
University Of California Santa Barbara did well this year, earning the #45 position. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. About 83% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. University Of California Santa Barbara Anthropology students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Read more about University Of California Santa Barbara
Lycoming College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. Set in Williamsport, PA, Lycoming College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,804. Lycoming College Anthropology students take on a median of $26,973 in debt. Get the full Lycoming College report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #47 among Anthropology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Anthropology students take on a median of $11,982 in debt. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Emory University did well this year, earning the #48 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Emory University Anthropology students take on a median of $21,515 in debt. Get the full Emory University report
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #49 among Anthropology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Austin, TX. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $22,523 to complete their Anthropology program here. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Vassar College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Poughkeepsie, NY. Vassar College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,030. Vassar College Anthropology students take on a median of $18,486 in debt. Get the full Vassar College report
Related Anthropology Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Anthropology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Anthropology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Anthropology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Anthropology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Anthropology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Anthropology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 597 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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