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Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California

143 Colleges
$27,082 Avg Salary
$18,467 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Anthropology School for You

With 2,821 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, anthropology is the #46 most popular major in California.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 143 schools in California to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Anthropology program at each school on the list.

Check out the anthropology programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in California.

Our analysis found University of California - Los Angeles to be the most popular school for anthropology students who want to pursue a degree in California. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, anthropology graduates from UCLA carry an average student debt load of $14,920. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $159.

Full Anthropology at University of California - Los Angeles Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of California - Santa Cruz. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California list. UC Santa Cruz is a large public school located in the small city of Santa Cruz.

The average amount in student loans that anthropology majors at UC Santa Cruz take out is $18,667. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $246.

Full Anthropology at University of California - Santa Cruz Report

The excellent programs at University of California - Santa Barbara helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best anthropology schools in California. Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, anthropology majors at UCSB accumulate an average of around $19,000 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $233.

Read full report on Anthropology at University of California - Santa Barbara

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of California - Riverside. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California list. Located in the city of Riverside, UCR is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, anthropology graduates from UCR carry an average student debt load of $21,491. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $161, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California list. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public school with a very large student population.

On average, anthropology graduates from UC Berkeley take out $13,690 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $338, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Anthropology at University of California - Berkeley Report

University of California - San Diego did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for anthropology students. It came in at #6 on the list. UCSD is a fairly large public school located in the city of La Jolla.

While working on their degree, anthropology majors at UCSD accumulate an average of around $18,500 in student debt.

Full Anthropology at University of California - San Diego Report

University of California - Davis ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California list. Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, anthropology graduates from UC Davis take out $13,584 in student loans while working on their degree.

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University of California - Irvine landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular anthropology programs. Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Anthropology majors at UC Irvine take out an average of $15,077 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $201.

Read full report on Anthropology at University of California - Irvine

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for anthropology students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, anthropology graduates from CSULB carry an average student debt load of $14,975.

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With a ranking of #10, California State University - Northridge did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for anthropology students. CSUN is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Northridge.

While working on their degree, anthropology majors at CSUN accumulate an average of around $18,910 in student debt.

Read full report on Anthropology at California State University - Northridge

#11

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California list. SDSU is a fairly large public school located in the large city of San Diego.

On average, anthropology graduates from SDSU take out $12,462 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#12

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

With a ranking of #12, San Francisco State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for anthropology students. SFSU is a fairly large public school located in the city of San Francisco.

Anthropology majors at SFSU take out an average of $15,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Anthropology at San Francisco State University

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for anthropology students. It came in at #13 on the list. Sac State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Sacramento.

Anthropology majors at Sac State take out an average of $22,885 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Anthropology at California State University - Sacramento

California State University - Fullerton ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, anthropology graduates from Cal State Fullerton carry an average student debt load of $18,500.

Full Anthropology at California State University - Fullerton Report

California State University - Chico came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Chico, Chico State is a public college with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that anthropology majors at Chico State take out is $19,833.

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Humboldt State University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California list. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school located in the remote town of Arcata.

After completing their degree, anthropology graduates from Humboldt State University carry an average student debt load of $17,000.

Full Anthropology at Humboldt State University Report

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular anthropology programs. Cal State LA is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles.

While working on their degree, anthropology majors at Cal State LA accumulate an average of around $17,920 in student debt.

Read More…

#18

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular anthropology programs. SRJC is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Santa Rosa.

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California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California list. Cal Poly Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona.

Anthropology majors at Cal Poly Pomona take out an average of $11,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Anthropology at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Report

#20

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular anthropology programs. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford.

Full Anthropology at Stanford University Report

#20

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA

With a ranking of #20, Sonoma State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for anthropology students. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, SSU is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that anthropology majors at SSU take out is $17,531.

Full Anthropology at Sonoma State University Report

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Anthropology students in the state of California that almost earned our Most Popular Anthropology Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
22 The University of Arizona Global Campus San Diego, CA
22 Cabrillo College Aptos, CA
22 Moorpark College Moorpark, CA
25 Sierra College Rocklin, CA
26 Long Beach City College Long Beach, CA
26 Oxnard College Oxnard, CA
26 San Jose State University San Jose, CA

Best Anthropology Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Anthropology Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 232
Oregon 235
Nevada 118
Hawaii 61
Alaska 27

One of 12 majors within the area of study, anthropology has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Anthropology

Related Major Annual Graduates
Political Science & Government 49,282
Economics 49,055
Sociology 38,475
General Social Sciences 18,997
International Relations & National Security 14,306

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Deror avi.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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