Best Online Bachelor’s in Anthropology 2026

Badge for BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN ANTHROPOLOGY
By Dr. James Barham and Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Updated:

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in anthropology degree programs in the US to prepare students to work as an anthropologist, museum curator, or to obtain a position in government.

Key Takeaways

  • The best online bachelor’s programs in anthropology offer courses that span cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological anthropology, providing students with a well-rounded understanding of human societies, past and present.
  • Top programs in anthropology often incorporate virtual fieldwork simulations or allow students to complete research projects within their local communities, ensuring hands-on learning experiences that connect theory with real-world applications.
  • The programs in our ranking cater to online learners by offering asynchronous classes, interactive digital resources, and access to online databases, making it easy for students to balance their studies with other commitments while actively engaging with course material.

Top Online Bachelor's in Anthropology Degree Programs in 2026

  1. University of Florida
  2. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  3. University of Central Florida
  4. University of Memphis
  5. University of Montana
  6. Southeast Missouri State University
  7. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
  8. Troy University
  9. Southern New Hampshire University
  10. Idaho State University

Featured Programs

Ranking: Best Online Bachelor’s in Anthropology

  1. #1

    University of Florida

    Gainesville , FL
    #1 Most Affordable Graduate Schools Ranked for 2026 #2 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2026 #2 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2026 #3 15 Best Self-Paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    24%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    62K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1400/31

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at University of Florida

    Cost of Degree: $6,381
    Expenses: $16,220
    Starting Salary: $33,953
    Salary after 4 years: $46,359
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  2. #2

    University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    Las Vegas , NV
    #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Nevada 2026 #1 Best Public Colleges in Nevada 2026 #1 Best Grad Schools in Nevada 2026 #1 Best Research Universities in Nevada 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    36K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1125/21

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    Cost of Degree: $9,142
    Expenses: $17,362
    Starting Salary: $27,064
    Salary after 4 years: $36,952
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    University of Central Florida

    Orlando , FL
    #7 Most Affordable Graduate Schools Ranked for 2026 #7 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2026 #7 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2026 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Florida 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    40%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    81K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1275/27

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at University of Central Florida

    Cost of Degree: $6,368
    Expenses: $18,300
    Starting Salary: $27,474
    Salary after 4 years: $37,511
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  4. #4

    University of Memphis

    Memphis , TN
    #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #2 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2026 #3 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2026 #3 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1047/21

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at University of Memphis

    Cost of Degree: $10,344
    Expenses: $17,726
    Starting Salary: $22,602
    Salary after 4 years: $30,860
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  6. #5

    University of Montana

    Missoula , MT
    #1 Best Colleges in Montana 2026 #1 Best Research Universities in Montana 2026 #1 Best Graduate Schools in Montana 2026 #1 Best Public Colleges in Montana 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    13K

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at University of Montana

    Cost of Degree: $8,152
    Expenses: $17,076
    Starting Salary: $21,129
    Salary after 4 years: $28,849
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  7. #6

    Southeast Missouri State University

    Cape Girardeau , MO
    #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Missouri 2026 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2026 #3 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2026 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at Southeast Missouri State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,495
    Expenses: $17,786
    Starting Salary: $21,097
    Salary after 4 years: $28,805
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Social Science

    Concentrations

    • Anthropology
    • Criminal Justice
    • Economics
    • History (any prefix)
    • Political Science
    • Psychology
    • or Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  8. #7

    University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

    North Dartmouth , MA
    #4 Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts 2026 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts Ranked for Students in 2026 #3 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs for 2026 #5 Best Online Bachelor’s of Gender Studies Degree Programs for 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/28

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

    Cost of Degree: $15,208
    Expenses: $21,112
    Starting Salary: $29,808
    Salary after 4 years: $40,699
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Sociology And Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  9. #8

    Troy University

    Troy , AL
    #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Alabama 2026 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2026 #6 Best Public Colleges in Alabama 2026 #8 Alabama's Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/21

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at Troy University

    Cost of Degree: $9,792
    Expenses: $14,366
    Starting Salary: $21,210
    Salary after 4 years: $28,959
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  10. #9

    Southern New Hampshire University

    Manchester , NH
    #10 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2026 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2026 #2 Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire 2026 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    255K

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at Southern New Hampshire University

    Cost of Degree: $16,450
    Expenses: $24,000
    Starting Salary: $22,654
    Salary after 4 years: $32,203
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  12. #10

    Idaho State University

    Pocatello , ID
    #3 Best Grad Schools in Idaho 2026 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho 2026 #3 Best Public Colleges in Idaho 2026 #3 Best Research Universities in Idaho 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    15K

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at Idaho State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,356
    Expenses: $14,854
    Starting Salary: $22,036
    Salary after 4 years: $30,087
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  13. #11

    Western Illinois University

    Macomb , IL
    #8 Best Public Colleges in Illinois 2026 #8 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2026 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Illinois 2026 #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at Western Illinois University

    Cost of Degree: $14,085
    Expenses: $13,896
    Starting Salary: $24,744
    Salary after 4 years: $33,784
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 Years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  14. #12

    University of Alaska Southeast

    Juneau , AK
    #3 Best Colleges in Alaska 2026 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Alaska 2026 #2 Best Online Colleges in Alaska 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    63%

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at University of Alaska Southeast

    Cost of Degree: $8,820
    Expenses: $20,168
    Starting Salary: $21,140
    Salary after 4 years: $28,864
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Social Science

    Concentrations

    • Anthropology
    • History
    • Political Science
    • Psychology
    • Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  15. #13

    Lewis–Clark State College

    Lewiston , ID
    #3 Best Small Colleges in Idaho 2026 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Idaho 2026 #4 Best Public Colleges in Idaho 2026 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for Anthropology degree at Lewis–Clark State College

    Cost of Degree: $7,388
    Expenses: $17,330
    Starting Salary: $22,715
    Salary after 4 years: $31,014
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Social Science

    Concentrations

    • Anthropology
    • History
    • Sociology
    • Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school

Career Outlook for Students with Anthropology Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Anthropology

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $11,345
  • Avg. Expenses*: $18,428
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $27,620
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $37,711
  • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 14 years
  • Job Growth: 5.74%
  • Number of Jobs: 1,297,500
  • * denotes ‘annually’
  • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Managers, All Other5.75%$133,560
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists11.46%$100,890
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary3.17%$93,650
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary4.08%$86,030
Forensic Science Technicians13.98%$64,940

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Managers, All Other$133,560
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$100,890
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary$93,650
Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.
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