Colorado · Anthropology

Best colleges for Anthropology in Colorado

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University - Fort Collins and Metropolitan State University of Denver are the top bachelor's Anthropology programs in Colorado by graduate earnings. University of Colorado Boulder leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,822, College Scorecard. Colorado State University - Fort Collins, University of Colorado Boulder and Metropolitan State University of Denver award the most Anthropology degrees in Colorado: 58, 55 and 28 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 Colorado colleges offer Anthropology and award 253 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Anthropology program offers an in-depth exploration of humanity through the lenses of biology and sociology. Students will study human behavior, cultures, societies, and linguistics, both in contemporary contexts and throughout…

Institutions
16
offering CIP 45.02
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
253
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$27,178
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
5
College Scorecard
Median net price
$29,726
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
46%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Anthropologists and Archeologists
$74,900
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 5 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,8225574%—$20,000
2Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Fort Collins Public · Bachelor's degree
$27,1785867%—$25,367
3Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver Public · Bachelor's degree
$21,9302832%—$31,135
4University of Northern Colorado
Greeley Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$35,4321451%—$25,667
5Fort Lewis College
Durango Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$25,8911036%—$17,592

Colleges awarding the most Anthropology degrees in Colorado

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Fort Collins Public
58$27,178
2University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder Public
55$36,822
3Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver Public
28$21,930
4University of Denver
Denver Private not-for-profit
24Not reported
5University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver Public
19Not reported
6University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Public
15Not reported
7University of Northern Colorado
Greeley Public
14$35,432
8Colorado College
Colorado Springs Private not-for-profit
12Not reported
9Fort Lewis College
Durango Public
10$25,891
10Front Range Community College
Westminster Public
2Not reported
Show the other 6 Colorado colleges offering Anthropology
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Community College of DenverDenverPublic4
Pikes Peak State CollegeColorado SpringsPublic4
Arapahoe Community CollegeLittletonPublic3
Pueblo Community CollegePuebloPublic2
Red Rocks Community CollegeLakewoodPublic2
Western Colorado UniversityGunnisonPublic1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Anthropologists and Archeologists (SOC 19-3091).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.7%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~800
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$64,910
typically Master's degree

Top skills

WritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionActive Learning

What Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in Colorado

Jobs in Colorado
250
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$74,900
median $68,620
Best-paying metro
$73,820
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Related careers

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Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
$84,550 avg · 170 jobs
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$84,620 avg · 160 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Anthropology programs in Colorado.

Which Colorado colleges award the most Anthropology degrees?+

Colorado State University - Fort Collins (58 graduates a year), University of Colorado Boulder (55 graduates a year) and Metropolitan State University of Denver (28 graduates a year) award the most Anthropology degrees in Colorado, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 Colorado colleges offer Anthropology.

What is the best college for Anthropology in Colorado?+

By graduate earnings, University of Colorado Boulder leads among bachelor's Anthropology programs in Colorado, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,822, College Scorecard. Colorado State University - Fort Collins and Metropolitan State University of Denver follow. By degrees awarded, Colorado State University - Fort Collins is the largest, with 58 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Anthropology program in Colorado has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Colorado Boulder tops the list at $36,822. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in Colorado?+

The average annual wage for Anthropologists and Archeologists in Colorado is $74,900 (median $68,620), across about 250 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Anthropology program?+

The Anthropology program offers an in-depth exploration of humanity through the lenses of biology and sociology. Students will study human behavior, cultures, societies, and linguistics, both in contemporary contexts and throughout…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop writing, speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Anthropologists and Archeologists?+

The national job outlook is about +3.7% growth with around 800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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