Best colleges for Anthropology in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Virginia, William & Mary and George Mason University award the most Anthropology degrees in Virginia: 31, 27 and 26 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Virginia colleges offer Anthropology and award 135 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 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason University Fairfax Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,081 | 26 | 68% | — | $23,937 |
| 2 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,609 | 31 | 96% | — | $13,885 |
| 3 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,686 | 10 | 80% | — | $20,500 |
| 4 | University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $24,534 | 4 | 66% | — | — |
| 5 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,732 | 17 | 63% | — | $13,996 |
Colleges awarding the most Anthropology degrees in Virginia
Top 9 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 Virginia Charlottesville Public | 31 | $30,609 |
| 2 | William & Mary Williamsburg Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 3 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 26 | $37,081 |
| 4 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public | 17 | $22,732 |
| 5 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public | 10 | $30,686 |
| 6 | Longwood University Farmville Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 7 | Radford University Radford Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg Public | 4 | $24,534 |
| 9 | University of Richmond University of Richmond Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Anthropologists and Archeologists (SOC 19-3091).
Top skills
What Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Anthropology programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Anthropology degrees?+
University of Virginia (31 graduates a year), William & Mary (27 graduates a year) and George Mason University (26 graduates a year) award the most Anthropology degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Virginia colleges offer Anthropology.
Which Anthropology program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, George Mason University tops the list at $37,081. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Anthropologists and Archeologists in Virginia is $81,400 (median $80,230), across about 320 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card