Kentucky · Anthropology

Best colleges for Anthropology in Kentucky

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Louisville, University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University award the most Anthropology degrees in Kentucky: 29, 27 and 11 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Kentucky colleges offer Anthropology and award 83 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
6
offering CIP 45.02
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
83
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$25,668
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,881
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
60%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Anthropologists and Archeologists
$74,230
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 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 Louisville
Louisville Public · Bachelor's degree
$29,9662961%—$23,000
2University of Kentucky
Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree
$25,6682771%—$22,494
3Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$19,495856%——

Colleges awarding the most Anthropology degrees in Kentucky

Top 6 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)
1University of Louisville
Louisville Public
29$29,966
2University of Kentucky
Lexington Public
27$25,668
3Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights Public
11Not reported
4Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public
8$19,495
5Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond Public
5Not reported
6Transylvania University
Lexington Private not-for-profit
3Not reported

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 Kentucky

Jobs in Kentucky
70
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$74,230
median $72,230
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$79,640 avg · 90 jobs
Anthropologists and Archeologists
$74,230 avg · 70 jobs
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$60,590 avg · 60 jobs
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
$108,810 avg · 60 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Anthropology programs in Kentucky.

Which Kentucky colleges award the most Anthropology degrees?+

University of Louisville (29 graduates a year), University of Kentucky (27 graduates a year) and Northern Kentucky University (11 graduates a year) award the most Anthropology degrees in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Kentucky colleges offer Anthropology.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Louisville tops the list at $29,966. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in Kentucky?+

The average annual wage for Anthropologists and Archeologists in Kentucky is $74,230 (median $72,230), across about 70 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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