2026 Best Anthropology Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Anthropology doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 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 evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Anthropology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Teachers College At Columbia University, our #1 Anthropology school in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
You'll be in good company at Rice University, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Rice University Anthropology students take on a median of $11,904 in debt. Get the full Rice University report
Out of the 597 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #3 spot. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. The median Anthropology program debt is $17,921. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
Out of the 597 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Duke University landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical Anthropology student debt is $13,296. Get the full Duke University report
Yale University came in at #5 on this year's Anthropology ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Haven, CT. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete their Anthropology program here. Get the full Yale University report
Stanford University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More on Stanford University
Princeton University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical Anthropology student debt is $10,888. More on Princeton University
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical Anthropology student debt is $13,975. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Northwestern University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Northwestern University Anthropology students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Get the full Northwestern University report
Johns Hopkins University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. The median Anthropology program debt is $13,426. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
Harvard University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located 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. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read the full report on Harvard University
Cornell University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete their Anthropology program here. See the full Cornell University profile
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical Anthropology student debt is $16,155. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of Notre Dame ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. University Of Notre Dame Anthropology students take on a median of $19,891 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
Brown University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Typical Anthropology student debt is $13,025. Read more about Brown University
University Of Chicago placed #16 among Anthropology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical Anthropology student debt is $15,854. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
University Of California Berkeley came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. The median Anthropology program debt is $12,949. More on University Of California Berkeley
Michigan State University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical Anthropology student debt is $28,084. See the full Michigan State University profile
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. 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
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Anthropology students take on a median of $19,775 in debt. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
College Of William And Mary did well this year, earning the #22 position. College Of William And Mary is a public school based in Williamsburg, VA. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Students borrow a median of $19,067 to complete their Anthropology program here. Read the full report on College Of William And Mary
Washington University In St Louis landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Anthropology students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Emory University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Emory University Anthropology students take on a median of $21,515 in debt. See the full Emory University profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Anthropology students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best Anthropology Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of California San Diego landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. University Of California San Diego posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $13,958 to complete their Anthropology program here. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Anthropology program debt is $11,982. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,562 to complete their Anthropology program here. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
Suny At Binghamton landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Suny At Binghamton is a public school based in Vestal, NY. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete their Anthropology program here. Read the full report on Suny At Binghamton
Case Western Reserve University placed #30 among Anthropology schools in the United States. Based in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Case Western Reserve University Anthropology students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read the full report on Case Western Reserve University
University Of Georgia landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,366 to complete their Anthropology program here. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
New York University did well this year, earning the #32 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. The median Anthropology program debt is $21,897. More on New York University
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #33 among Anthropology schools in the United States. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The median Anthropology program debt is $22,523. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Anthropology students take on a median of $21,650 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Anthropology students take on a median of $14,623 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Iowa came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. The median Anthropology program debt is $25,696. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $34,500 to complete their Anthropology program here. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of California Irvine landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. The median Anthropology program debt is $16,667. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
Southern Methodist University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. Set in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. See the full Southern Methodist University profile
University Of California Davis came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their Anthropology program here. More on University Of California Davis
Boston University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Boston University Anthropology students take on a median of $25,250 in debt. See the full Boston University profile
American University placed #42 among Anthropology schools in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. American University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full American University report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #43 position. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. The median Anthropology program debt is $25,000. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #44 among Anthropology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete their Anthropology program here. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
Ohio State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #46 position. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Anthropology students take on a median of $22,834 in debt. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
University Of Arizona ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Graduates carry a median of $24,269 in student loans. More on University Of Arizona
Temple University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Temple University is a public school based in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full Temple University profile
Syracuse University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,528. The median Anthropology program debt is $23,249. More on Syracuse University
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Anthropology schools. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $18,972 in student loans. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Related Anthropology Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Anthropology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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