Best colleges for Anthropology in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University at Raleigh and Western Carolina University are the top bachelor's Anthropology programs in North Carolina by graduate earnings. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,211, College Scorecard. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte award the most Anthropology degrees in North Carolina: 88, 44 and 41 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 North Carolina colleges offer Anthropology and award 370 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…
Top 10 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,211 | 88 | 91% | — | $11,982 |
| 2 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,518 | 38 | 85% | — | $26,000 |
| 3 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,262 | 40 | 60% | — | $22,595 |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,805 | 41 | 69% | — | $27,750 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,198 | 20 | 71% | — | $24,112 |
| 6 | East Carolina University Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,228 | 38 | 63% | — | $27,000 |
| 7 | Appalachian State University Boone Public · Bachelor's degree | $19,624 | 44 | 75% | — | $23,250 |
| 8 | Duke University Durham Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $43,924 | 18 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 9 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $25,901 | 15 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
| 10 | University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $24,639 | 7 | 54% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Anthropology degrees in North Carolina
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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Public | 88 | $36,211 |
| 2 | Appalachian State University Boone Public | 44 | $19,624 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public | 41 | $27,805 |
| 4 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public | 40 | $28,262 |
| 5 | East Carolina University Greenville Public | 38 | $24,228 |
| 6 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public | 38 | $29,518 |
| 7 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public | 20 | $25,198 |
| 8 | Duke University Durham Private not-for-profit | 18 | $43,924 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro Public | 15 | $25,901 |
| 10 | Davidson College Davidson Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 North Carolina colleges offering Anthropology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina Asheville | Asheville | Public | 7 |
| Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Elon University | Elon | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Meredith College | Raleigh | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Anthropologists and Archeologists (SOC 19-3091).
Top skills
What Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Anthropology programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Anthropology degrees?+
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (88 graduates a year), Appalachian State University (44 graduates a year) and University of North Carolina at Charlotte (41 graduates a year) award the most Anthropology degrees in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 North Carolina colleges offer Anthropology.
What is the best college for Anthropology in North Carolina?+
By graduate earnings, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leads among bachelor's Anthropology programs in North Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $36,211, College Scorecard. North Carolina State University at Raleigh and Western Carolina University follow. By degrees awarded, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the largest, with 88 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Anthropology program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tops the list at $36,211. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Anthropologists and Archeologists in North Carolina is $79,060 (median $73,130), across about 200 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.
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