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2018 Best Colleges for Anthropology in AmericaAbout this List

The Best Colleges for Anthropology ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. The ranking compares the top anthropology and archaeology programs in the U.S. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

Anthropology
421 results

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  1. Harvard University

    • 4 Year
    • Cambridge, MA
    • 645
    1 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Alum: Harvard University offers the most incredible experience for its students. From the rich history to the esteemed faculty to the vibrant atmosphere of Harvard Square, it is truly one of a kind and inspiring. During my time at Harvard, I got to dance to Gangnam Style with Psy, read a Gutenberg Bible, study and work under my hero, perform fMRIs, and eat brunch in what is essentially the Great Hall of Hogwarts. I cannot begin to tell you the opportunities available here nor what you will learn from working and studying alongside people from all over the world. Harvard also tries to promote diversity further by offering a needs-blind application process and a financial aid package that guarantees you will not have to turn down your acceptance due to financial hardship! Harvard truly takes care of its students, giving them every opportunity imaginable and giving them an experience they will never forget.
    Read 645 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 5% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,205 Net Price
    • 1430-1600 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  2. University of Chicago

    • 4 Year
    • Chicago, IL
    • 1,122
    2 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    College Sophomore: My experience at UChicago so far has been wonderful! There is such a variety of courses to choose from, and so many interesting majors are available. All of the courses are respectable and worth taking. The professors and TA's are all very experienced in their fields, and are very passionate about what they're teaching. The Core classes are usually taught in lecture halls, but also have classes periods that are broken up into smaller groups (during discussion). Other classes can have as few as five students, like my Yucatec Maya class, which allows students to have awesome conversations with their professors and TA's.
    Read 1,122 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 8% Acceptance Rate
    • $31,068 Net Price
    • 1450-1600 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  3. Columbia University

    • 4 Year
    • New York, NY
    • 1,114
    3 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Alum: I have found my experience at Columbia to have been one of endless discovery. In this review I will focus on the Core Curriculum, which all students in the College and the School of Engineering take in one way or another. Although there is a valid claim to the antiquity of the texts themselves, Columbia's teaching and discursive methodology is second-to-none. The way I see it, there is universal value in being well-read; it is a prerequisite for engaging with the world in meaningful terms outside of what one might experience through their personal spheres. Even those who may oppose aspects of the Core -- as I have at times -- have plenty of options to respond creatively. The curriculum may appear rigid at first, but as Columbia teaches us, knowledge at face-value is nothing gained. The Core Curriculum was the most flexible aspect of my education, because there was always the lingering question of how I would bend it towards my will in hopes of doing good for this world.
    Read 1,114 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 7% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,973 Net Price
    • 1410-1590 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. Brown University

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 933
    4 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Sophomore: Brown University is an amazing place to go for undergrad. There's simply nowhere else that I'd rather spend four years learning and growing as a person. The open curriculum allows for lots of exploration and risk-taking in the classroom, and this culture bleeds into student life as well. The environment here is very relaxed and collaborative, and the students here are kind, accepting, and fun. And coming from a SoCal kid, the weather isn't even that bad! I've only been at Brown for one year, but I'm so glad I made the choice to come here when I was deciding between colleges last April.
    Read 933 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 9% Acceptance Rate
    • $25,264 Net Price
    • 1370-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  6. University of Pennsylvania

    • 4 Year
    • Philadelphia, PA
    • 1,138
    5 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Senior: I loved the academics. The academics were challenging, and I had to grow comfortable with not getting A's like I did in high school. The professors were very engaged and wanted to see their students do well. I was also a varsity athlete and found the facilities to be amazing! I joined greek life and found it to be very rewarding. The greek life at Penn is much more laid back than some other schools. I had work study jobs throughout my time at Penn, which I found enabled me to get a handle on the work world while also pursuing my studies and academics.
    Read 1,138 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 9% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,944 Net Price
    • 1380-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. Princeton University

    • 4 Year
    • Princeton, NJ
    • 393
    6 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Freshman: In my experience, which has only been one semester, Princeton is a wonderful place. It has comfortable dorms, beautiful study spaces, delicious food and amazing professors. I am pursuing a BA degree rather than a BSE, and I was able to take a wide range of classes that I enjoyed. There are endless oppportunities for extra cirriculars. It is however, a stressful environment depending on how many things you decide to take on, in addition to the pressure of going to such a prestigious institution with students that have the same goals of achievement.
    Read 393 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 7% Acceptance Rate
    • $17,732 Net Price
    • 1400-1590 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  9. Duke University

    • 4 Year
    • Durham, NC
    • 1,027
    7 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Freshman: If you aren't entirely decided on what you want to study, or want to combine two fields that don't seem to fit, Duke is the best school available to you. The flexible pathway through Duke is one of its best features, and it guarantees there's something academic for nearly everyone here. Not to mention everything that goes on outside of academics. Whether you're a performance artist, coder, engineer, service-learner, researcher, intense athlete, or a just for fun one, there's a place for you here. If you're anything at all, and looking to challenge yourself, then come to Duke!
    Read 1,027 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 11% Acceptance Rate
    • $19,950 Net Price
    • 1380-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  10. Dartmouth College

    • 4 Year
    • Hanover, NH
    • 667
    8 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Freshman: Dartmouth is simply wonderful. It has such a wonderfully cozy and collaborative atmosphere, which combined with the unparalleled focus on undergraduate students makes it the best college there is. The only thing people should be aware of is that there will be a large number of wealthy students, so be prepared to face some new socioeconomic diversity. Overall, it is such a safe and fun college set in a beautiful part of the country!
    Read 667 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 11% Acceptance Rate
    • $21,177 Net Price
    • 1350-1560 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  11. Barnard College

    • 4 Year
    • New York, NY
    • 411
    9 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Sophomore: AMAZING school! You get best of both worlds: small, women's liberal arts college with all the resources and facilities of a large, co-ed, Ivy-League university. Plus, you get to live in NYC. You get a campus feel since it is on the Upper West Side ( residential area).

    Barnard women get degrees from Columbia University, graduate at Columbia University graduation, take classes at CU and join CU clubs/sororities/sports/ societies. Barnard women can also eat at Columbia dining halls, study in all 22 CU libraries, and use the same academic buildings. Columbia students take classes at Barnard and use Barnard libraries/cafeterias/buildings. It's a great campus environment.

    BTW, acceptance rate is 14.8% now (on Niche it still has a very old acceptance rate). Gets more competitive with each year as more people learn about it.
    Read 411 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 15% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,815 Net Price
    • 1270-1470 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  13. Washington University in St. Louis

    • 4 Year
    • Saint Louis, MO
    • 1,373
    10 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Graduate Student: First and foremost everyone is committed to ensuring that the students receive all the support to achieve their goals. The case based studying for the MBA's helps students to deal with real issues that happen at the work place. This helps you as a student to gain the skills and confidence address issues facing firms today.
    There is also a great opportunity to network and build lasting professional and personal relationships. In a world where relationships is the only currency that has no diminishing returns, it's a privilege to find an institution that has an ongoing and organized way to network and build lasting relationships.
    At Washu, you learn how to work in teams. Everyone spends the first year of school working in a group of not less than five people.
    Lastly WashU has-the Saturday program that allows working students to attend classes on Saturdays which helps them to spend less time in school and still manage to work and start families for those willing to do so.
    Read 1,373 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 17% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,824 Net Price
    • 1400-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  14. University of California - Los Angeles

    • 4 Year
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 4,598
    11 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Freshman: I love my school so much! There are so many clubs and organizations on campus that everyone can find something they like. Dancing clubs and culture clubs are pretty popular. Greek life is relatively a big scene, but it's completely OK if you're not into parties. Everyone's pretty chill. Parties are usually on Thursdays. Academics here is amazing! Most of my professors are funny, caring and involved in teaching. All my professors are super helpful and have extended office hours the week before midterms and finals. There are many research opportunities and internships open every quarter.
    Our basketball team is awesome and students get free stuff and sometimes a free chick-fill-A sandwich after the game. Football games are also pretty fun to watch, especially the USC game(The rivalry is real, tho we're way better at everything but football). Totally worth the money and time. Overall, my life at UCLA is 10/10. Bruins work hard, party hard. I can't even imagine myself at somewhere else!
    Read 4,598 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 18% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,236 Net Price
    • 1160-1470 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  15. Bryn Mawr College

    • 4 Year
    • Bryn Mawr, PA
    • 401
    12 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Sophomore: My time at Bryn Mawr has been a great experience thus far! I've met so many wonderful people from a wide variety of backgrounds, I've had some incredible professors that really care about their students' success, experienced great traditions on campus, and I've had access to so many academic and extracurricular opportunities. I can't wait for the coming years here!
    Read 401 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 40% Acceptance Rate
    • $31,900 Net Price
    • 1220-1450 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  17. Reed College

    • 4 Year
    • Portland, OR
    • 268
    13 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Alum: I graduated from Reed recently and I now work in financial services in NYC. Reflecting on my undergrad experience, I received a wonderful liberal arts education from a faculty of amazing professors. Reed offers a rigorous academic program, but also has a wonderfully quirky and liberal culture / social scene. Other miscellaneous thoughts: students have lots of autonomy, most campus dorms are nice or new, the campus is very safe and scenic, renn fayre is fun, the cafeteria (Commons) has good food, and Portland is an awesome city with lots to do, great food to eat, and lots of beer to drink.
    Read 268 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 31% Acceptance Rate
    • $27,805 Net Price
    • 1280-1480 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  18. Tufts University

    • 4 Year
    • Medford, MA
    • 876
    14 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Freshman: Tufts is an amazing school! The intellectual environment is extremely is stimulative. The Professors are very passionate about what they teach and are open to helping any of their students. The food is good too! Students are generally friendly depending on the crowd you hang out with. The political environment is one of liberalism. I love this school and would attend it again when given the chance. There is diversity in terms of the many people from different backgrounds and categories. The surrounding area is beautiful! The school is not called the "Light on the Hill" for no reason
    Read 876 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 14% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,076 Net Price
    • 1370-1520 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  19. Northwestern University

    • 4 Year
    • Evanston, IL
    • 1,281
    15 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Alum: I attended Northwestern because of the music program and the professor I would be working with. My professor was amazing, and so was the music program as a whole. I was able to pursue a double major with an outside field, and while it was difficult and busy, the administration helped me every quarter by allowing me to take extra classes to finish on time. The campus is beautiful, but there is always construction. It is not a huge party school, but there are parties and lots of other ways to have fun. I loved the proximity to Chicago and the public transit system. Overall, I liked the student body. There was a general hard work ethic, and though my majors weren't particularly competitive, I know there were some that were fairly cut-throat. The mental health services can be improved upon, but I felt that NU was a very accepting, diverse, and progressive school overall. Financial aid was great, and getting better!
    Read 1,281 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 11% Acceptance Rate
    • $29,326 Net Price
    • 1400-1560 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  20. University of California - Berkeley

    • 4 Year
    • Berkeley, CA
    • 3,758
    16 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Freshman: Berkeley is an amazing school with amazing professors. I love it here and I learn so much, my dorm is amazing, the clubs are really great, there are so many oppertunities for volunteer work, professors who are literally famous in their fields teach intro level classes!
    On the other hand, grade deflation here is awful, and the fear of not being able to get into grad school or med school because only the top something percent of people get As in various STEM classes is enormous. As in any other big city, safety is a bit of an issue, although there are lots of systems in place to make it safer for students.
    Overall, though, it's a fantastic school!
    Read 3,758 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 17% Acceptance Rate
    • $17,160 Net Price
    • 1270-1540 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  21. Emory University

    • 4 Year
    • Atlanta, GA
    • 1,415
    17 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Niche User: I went to a tour during Spring Break with my school. It was beginning to sprinkle, but out tour guides really helped to lighten up the mood. They were incredibly kind and were considerate of us when walking througout campus. Asided from our guides, the camous was very beautiful. The facilities were clean and even the food was delicios! PS. They have an adorable waffle maker with the Emory logo on it!
    Read 1,415 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 25% Acceptance Rate
    • $24,804 Net Price
    • 1290-1500 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  23. Pitzer College

    • 4 Year
    • Claremont, CA
    • 599
    18 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Junior: My first two years at Pitzer College have been nothing but good experiences with amazing people. If you are looking for a small liberal arts school that you can have a close relationship with your professors and upperclassmates. Coming from Hawaii I didn't know what to expect but hearing really good thing about Pitzer, like how beautiful the school is and how they care about being sustianable and helping the communities around them improve and transition into also becoming sustainable caught by eye. I love that you can go to any of the other campuses around and eat at any dinning hall you choose. The food is incredible and the staff are awesome! Highly recommend checking Pitzer College out for amazing experiences in college! Goodluck
    Read 599 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 14% Acceptance Rate
    • $25,521 Net Price
    • 1300-1450 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  24. Grinnell College

    • 4 Year
    • Grinnell, IA
    • 385
    19 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Junior: The students are bright, curious, and from a variety of different backgrounds, making Grinnell College an engaging place to live and learn. They are committed to social justice and activism, participating in their courses in a creative and intellectual way that very clearly connects their education to their passions and "real-world" lives. The faculty dedicate a huge amount of time to ensuring their students are receiving the education they need while still reserving time for their own research and writing. However, the administration needs work on the way it communicates with the student body and implements policies, and the location of the college creates a sort of "bubble" that can cause Grinnell to completely absorb the lives of students and faculty.
    Read 385 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 20% Acceptance Rate
    • $30,010 Net Price
    • 1320-1530 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  25. University of Notre Dame

    • 4 Year
    • Notre Dame, IN
    • 1,242
    20 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Alum: Notre Dame is an amazing place to get a high quality education with great reputation and close-knit community feel with fun and spirited student life. It’s not necessary to be Catholic and people who aren’t religious at all won’t feel excluded, but it is especially amazing for people who are religious. I myself am not very religious but was raised in the faith and do appreciate it, so I enjoyed being around it and taking the required Theology and Philosophy courses. Everyone is extremely nice and collaborative! Very smart people here and caring professors. Single sex dorms is a negative as well as less opportunities for medical professions, as there is no hospital or medical focus here. I would say it’s best for business, engineering, or liberal arts. Although science is still good here and people get into great grad programs no matter what they want to continue on studying!
    Read 1,242 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 19% Acceptance Rate
    • $26,683 Net Price
    • 1350-1540 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  26. Davidson College

    • 4 Year
    • Davidson, NC
    • 275
    21 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Junior: Davidson is an absolutely phenomenal school, but it is definitely a school meant to work you very hard. While you typically only take four classes a semester, these classes will keep you up busier than you could imagine. One of the most important factors of the college is the quality of professors. Davidson is consistently ranked one of the top colleges for professor qualifications and experience. All the professors you will be taught by are extraordinarily distinguished in their field with numerous connections that they are willing to pass on to students for their own success. They will push you hard academically, but studying and learning from them is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Also, prominent professors are larger institutes that care about graduate students and their research more, you will have their undivided attention at Davidson. The professors genuinely care about their students and are always willing to help you succeed.
    Read 275 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 20% Acceptance Rate
    • $27,897 Net Price
    • 1250-1440 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  27. New York University

    • 4 Year
    • New York, NY
    • 4,867
    22 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Junior: The experience of a being at NYU is a full one, there's is too much to do on campus as well as off campus. I would not trade my city life for anything else. Imagine taking art classes in Washington Sq Park, studying in a library that overlooks the famous bussiness school, having the opportunity to live in Union Sq, Chinatown, Greenwich, and Soho, and then spending a semester abroad. There is a reason NYU is one of the top 5 dream schools. It's really what you make of it and no single person's city adventure will be quite the same! Last but not least finding your community on campus has been one of my most treasured experiences. There are too many clubs and people to meet. Finding incredibly talented people to share your passion projects with, that has been the best part of my networking and college experience at NYU.
    Read 4,867 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 32% Acceptance Rate
    • $35,147 Net Price
    • 1250-1480 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  30. Haverford College

    • 4 Year
    • Haverford, PA
    • 199
    23 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Sophomore: Haverford is an top-notch school academically with a very welcoming social environment for the most part. The customs program is something that really stands out to me, though YMMV.

    My major gripe would be the spending on unnecessary building projects that would be better devoted to financial aid; the endowment is being mismanaged (though granted it is still in the national top 50 for student to endowment ratio). Applicants should also be aware that there is a significant divide and tension between athletes and non-athletes.
    Read 199 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 21% Acceptance Rate
    • $21,144 Net Price
    • 1320-1520 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  31. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

    • 4 Year
    • Ann Arbor, MI
    • 3,912
    24 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Alum: The University of Michigan's motto is "Leaders and Best" and that's exactly what this school provides and produces. It provides the best professors, courses and college experiences and produces innovative leaders. My experience at this institution allowed for academic and personal growth, which has embedded quite a zealous spirit within me, especially in regard to the achievement of my future aspirations. I can't thank this school enough. To conclude, I recommend the University of Michigan to anyone willing to work hard, expand their mind and anyone who wishes to fulfil their dreams!
    Read 3,912 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 29% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,107 Net Price
    • 1310-1500 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  32. Tulane University

    • 4 Year
    • New Orleans, LA
    • 1,449
    25 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America

    Freshman: Tulane University is an awesome school. I love the fact that I have the chance to take classes across multiple disciplines, and the emphasis on educating the whole person. The focus on public service is truly amazing, and there are a variety of opportunities to get involved with the community. The location is also a huge plus, because New Orleans is a city that is very fun to live in, and the culture is so rich. I love it at Tulane!
    Read 1,449 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 26% Acceptance Rate
    • $32,515 Net Price
    • 1240-1410 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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2018 Best Colleges for Anthropology in America
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