Best Anthropology Schools in California

California has 23 colleges offering Anthropology programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,345 recent graduates. Graduates earn $26,677 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $26,086.

School choice matters significantly: Ashford University graduates earn $33,459 while San Diego State University graduates earn $20,140 — a $13,319 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$26,677

CA Avg. Earnings

$26,086

National Avg.

225

Schools Nationally

Anthropology Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

$33,459

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,762

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: N/A

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

$33,281

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 91.3%

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$32,498

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,388

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 93.6%

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$31,762

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,390

Graduates: 49

Acceptance: 96.2%

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$30,520

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,197

Graduates: 215

Acceptance: 8.7%

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$30,277

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,992

Graduates: 69

Acceptance: 41.6%

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$28,598

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,620

Graduates: 79

Acceptance: 11.7%

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$28,381

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,634

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 94.7%

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public

$27,667

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,008

Graduates: 130

Acceptance: 62.5%

#10

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$27,639

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,935

Graduates: 95

Acceptance: 27.8%

#11

University of California-Merced

Merced, CA · Public

$26,353

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,866

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 39.2%

#12

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$26,037

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,124

Graduates: 95

Acceptance: 47.1%

#13

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$25,967

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,030

Graduates: 86

Acceptance: 25.6%

#14

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,942

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 97.5%

#15

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,314

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 91.9%

#16

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,145

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 93.2%

#17

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$24,615

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,293

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 73.7%

#18

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$24,421

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,743

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 24.5%

#19

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$23,571

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,074

Graduates: 122

Acceptance: 63.3%

#20

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

$21,166

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $22,538

Graduates: 45

Acceptance: 98.8%

#22

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$20,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $22,288

Graduates: 48

Acceptance: 93.7%

#23

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$20,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,106

Graduates: 60

Acceptance: 34.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Anthropology in California?

Ashford University ranks #1 for Anthropology in California with median graduate earnings of $33,459 within two years of graduation. There are 23 schools offering Anthropology programs in the state.

How much do Anthropology graduates earn in California?

Anthropology graduates in California earn an average of $26,677 within two years of graduation. This is 2% above the national average of $26,086 for this major.

What is the hardest Anthropology school to get into in California?

University of California-Los Angeles is the most selective Anthropology program in California with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The average acceptance rate across Anthropology programs in the state is 64.0%.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Engineering, General $76,184 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Manufacturing Engineering $73,841 Engineering-Related Fields $73,096 Computer Science $72,889

All colleges in California →

Anthropology in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.