Best colleges for Anthropology in Tennessee
Ranked by graduate earnings
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Vanderbilt University and Middle Tennessee State University award the most Anthropology degrees in Tennessee: 104, 19 and 15 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Tennessee colleges offer Anthropology and award 174 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 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,772 | 104 | 74% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Memphis Memphis Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,112 | 11 | 51% | — | $20,081 |
| 3 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $21,878 | 15 | 54% | — | $20,793 |
Colleges awarding the most Anthropology degrees in Tennessee
Top 7 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 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public | 104 | $24,772 |
| 2 | Vanderbilt University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 3 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | 15 | $21,878 |
| 4 | University of Memphis Memphis Public | 11 | $23,112 |
| 5 | Rhodes College Memphis Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 6 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 7 | The University of the South Sewanee Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Anthropologists and Archeologists (SOC 19-3091).
Top skills
What Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in Tennessee
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Anthropology programs in Tennessee.
Which Tennessee colleges award the most Anthropology degrees?+
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (104 graduates a year), Vanderbilt University (19 graduates a year) and Middle Tennessee State University (15 graduates a year) award the most Anthropology degrees in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Tennessee colleges offer Anthropology.
Which Anthropology program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville tops the list at $24,772. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in Tennessee?+
The average annual wage for Anthropologists and Archeologists in Tennessee is $63,970 (median $60,310), across about 160 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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