
Best Anthropology Schools
How are the Top Anthropology Programs Chosen?
Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.
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Harvard College is an undergraduate liberal arts school located in Cambridge, MA, within Harvard University. Founded in 1636, this private, very selective, Ivy League college is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and was...
With its liberal arts focus, Harvard provides the type of education that helps you to become a better thinker. You probably won't gain as much concrete knowledge here as you would at a non-liberal arts college, but I think this has more to do with...
” – Cindy
Northwestern University is a 4-year private research institution in the Chicagoland area. Northwestern is home to 12 colleges and schools and is renowned for its Medill School of Journalism, Kellogg School of Management, and Bienen School of Music...
If you can to learn, you will. The professors don't spoon-feed information - instead, they give you the tools to learn the subjects yourself. Also, just hanging out with people (students, and sometimes students hang out with professors) helps you...
” – Allison from Port Barrington, IL
Swarthmore College is a private liberal arts institution in Pennsylvania that was founded in 1864. The college was founded by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and its "most selective" admissions process is also need-blind. The 425-acre...
Swarthmore is one of the toughest colleges in the country, but it pays off. Aside from major intro classes like Psch 1 and Bio 1&2, class sizes are very small. Professors are brilliant and AVAILABLE--unlike profs at huge research universities, they...
” – Some Swattie
At WashU, you will draw strength from a community of achievers who inspire each other with their creativity and tenacity. You’ll acquire the confidence and skills to succeed as a professional and as a person, ready to change the world. You’ll learn...
The classes I have taken have been interesting and challenging. It's a good idea to do some research on the professor, but generally you can expect a good experience. Class size really varies. I've had classes with 12 students, but also classes with...
” – Catlyne from Wheaton, IL
With campus overlooking the Cannon River, Carleton College is a 4-year liberal arts college in southeast Minnesota. Carleton offers bachelor’s degrees in 33 academic majors with a focus on developing skills that apply to all walks of life. For...
Carleton offers a comprehensive liberal arts education. Because it is based on a trimester schedule, students only take three courses per ten-week term. This allows them to focus more on the classes in which they are enrolled without becoming...
” – Sara from Buda, TX
Washington and Lee University is a liberal arts university located in Lexington, VA, along the Shenandoah River and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains. W&L's motto is "Non Incautus Futuri," which means "not unmindful...
A small campus with a great community vibe, filled with overachieving students that graduate with starry eyes and top internships.
” – Maryland
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an institution in the UNC system and the first public university to confer degrees. A member of the Association of American Universities, UNC Chapel Hill is considered a Public Ivy and houses a...
Although some of the classes are large, students have the opportunity for some one on one time with professors and teaching assistants through office hours and smaller versions of lectures called recitations. So no matter the class size, you are...
” – Alexia from Apex, NC
Founded in 1868, the University of California at Berkeley is the flagship of the University of California system of higher education, with a campus overlooking the San Francisco Bay. UC Berkeley is known for its academic excellence, student activism...
Berkeley is a great school chock full of award-winning, book-publishing, enthusiastic professors who really know their stuff. If you take classes you're really interested in, you'll learn more. Don't forget about office hours, tutoring sessions, and...
” – Karina from Los Angeles, CA
Established in 1819, Colgate University is a selective 4-year private liberal arts institution in central New York State and one of the oldest universities in the northeast. Colgate confers bachelor’s degrees in 56 academic majors and the campus is...
I came to Colgate with a pretty narrow idea of what I wanted to study and what I wanted out of my collegiate career. Colgate has, however, reshaped my ideas about the potential of a college education. I thought that both the core program and the...
” – Peter from Hamilton, NY
Founded in 1817, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is the state’s oldest university. U of M has very high research activity and is a often referred to as a Public Ivy. The university at Ann Arbor offers upwards of 260 degrees for undergraduates...
The classes here are pretty intense. I'm a student in the college of Engineering, where group work is an important part of most classes. Most of the core classes like calculus, physics, and chemistry are very large classes, but they all have smaller...
” – Elizabeth from Rochester Hills, MI
A private research institution located in Boston, Northeastern University was founded in 1898. Northeastern is home to nine colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 90 academic majors. Additionally, the university operates a...
I'm learning so much from Northeastern. I'm currently a psychology major and a music industry minor. I absolutely love it here because there is so many diverse majors and minors that I can do. One of the greatest things here is that I can always see...
” – Xiangling from Staten Island`, NY
Lafayette College is based in Easton, PA, and is considered a “Hidden Ivy.” This private college leads all other liberal arts colleges in the US with the most Goldwater Scholarship recipients. Lafayette is ranked on several lists by The Princeton...
The professors take a genuine interest in their students and are more than willing to offer their time and assistance.
Lafayette offers a broad variety of programs to help prepare you for the future. Personal meetings with counselors help you to...

Boston University is a private, non-profit university with a heavy emphasis on research. BU’s main location is right in its name—Boston, MA—but the university has flagship locations around the world, including in London, Sydney, and Washington, DC...
The faculty is usually attentive and pretty entertaining. Most professors know exactly what they're talking about and provide insight into difficult fields with ease. I took the Core Curriculum and am learning much about history and philosophy. I...
” – Alex from Waco, TX
Founded in 1960, the University of California of San Diego is a research institution located in La Jolla, CA. The 1,200 coastal woodland campus along the Pacific Ocean is home to six undergraduate colleges, five academic divisions, 5 graduate and...
Teachers can be great, but you must go to class to actually learn. I never thought I'd be skipping classes, but it happens and I learned the hard way that this is NOT smart. Discussions with TAs can be incredibly helpful as well. I had a math class...
” – Current Student from San Diego Area
Founded in 1925, the University of Miami is a private research institution in south Florida. The U encompasses 11 colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 180 fields of study. Away from the classroom, the Miami campus is home to...
The Cool thing about UM is the diversity of the school and the city of Miami. I've met people from every corner of the country and the world and that's the best part about college, of course learning in class but also learning from those who are not...
” – Jude from Miami, FL
St. Olaf College is a 4-year institution founded in 1874 by Norwegian Lutheran Immigrants. Today, St. Olaf maintains its affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on its 300-acre campus in Northfield, Minnesota, often called “The...
Of course in the classroom I feel that I am learning from some of the brightest professors I will meet, but I am also learning a lot about myself through classes I take, interactions with others on campus, volunteer and abroad opportunities, and...
” – Kelsey from Portland, OR
An education from Whitman College is special.
As a small residential liberal arts college in Walla Walla, Washington, Whitman is rooted in the traditional liberal arts values like critical thought and academic rigor. But at our foundation is also a...
Whitman is well known for its rigorous academics. To start with all freshmen must take an encounters course, which includes the study of texts most people would not have studied in high school (including The Qur'an or The Odyssey). This alone makes...
” – Geneva
George Washington University is a private university maintains three campuses, with the main campus located in Washington, D.C., just four blocks from the White House. George Washington University offers 75 undergraduate majors and 69% of students...
This is my first semester and I'm taking six classes and I've definitely learned a lot. First thing I learned is not to take six classes, especially not your first semester. It's a big load, but I'm handling it well and I love my classes. I'm in...
” – Arianna from Brookline, MA
Binghamton University is a 4-year research institution located on a 930-acre campus in New York state and is ranked #32 in Top Public Schools by US News & World Report. The university’s six schools offer 130 academic programs that provide research...
The professors here are great! If you need help they are there for you. Often times students don't go to them so they really do want you to come to them or else they won't have anything to do during office hours.
” – Wendy from Brooklyn, NY
The University of Washington is a selective institution located in Seattle, WA, with two satellite campuses in Bothell and Tacoma. At this Public Ivy, sustainability is a major focus and the school has made The Princeton Review Green College Honor...
If you can get past the large number of students in your lower-level classes, learning will not be a problem. Professors, TAs and study centers are generally very kind and willing to help you out. If you seek help, you will get it.
” – Madeline from Seattle, WA
Originally founded as a land-grant university in 1870, Ohio State University is a public institution in Columbus and the third-largest campus in the nation. OSU confers bachelor’s degrees in over 200 academic fields of study. In addition to classroom...
You won't believe the opportunities you have here at Ohio State. There are over 160 academic programs available. I enrolled with an undeclared major, but wasn't nervous about it because ultimately whatever you go into you will be successful. The...
” – David from Perrysburg, OH
Founded in 1831, Denison University is a private school in mid-Ohio and the second oldest liberal arts college in the state. Denison grants bachelor’s degrees in 54 academic majors and its First-Year Program provides academic and co-curricular...
Denison University has amazing and engaging professors, who genuinely care about your intellectual, moral, and social development. Moreover, the learning environment is friendly and encouraging to students of all backgrounds, while challenging...
” – Stetson from Valley View, OH
Founded by the Society of Jesus, Fairfield University is a 4-year Jesuit institution in coastal Connecticut. Fairfield provides a liberal arts education and offers degrees in 44 academic majors as well as 16 interdisciplinary majors. As a Catholic...
The teachers focus on broadening your view and the extensive core forces you to study fields you would have never considered, but could decide major in.
” – Kristin from Martinsville, NJ
Established in 1854, Wofford College is a 4-year, liberal arts institution located in Spartanburg, SC. Wofford offers 67 majors, minors, and programs on its 170-acre campus, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and, in...
Wofford is a tough school. In order to be a successful student there, you have got to mean business. There's no fooling around or second chances. By attending Wofford, I am challenging myself more than I ever have before and it is definitely...
” – Lisa from Baltimore, MD
Founded by leaders of the Presbyterian Church, Centre College is a 4-year liberal arts college in central Kentucky. Centre confers bachelor’s degrees in over 50 fields of study and also allows students to create their own majors in consultation with...
Centre has fantastic professors who really know their field, and are passionate about teaching it. Classes are difficult, with a lot of work, but fun. The professors like doing different things. I've had professors take us on field trips, hold...
” – Chelsea from Chicago, IL
Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution founded in 1860. Located in Rock Island, IL, Augustana offers more than 90 majors and related study programs in the humanities and fine arts, natural and social sciences, and pre-professional...
The faculty here are intelligent and more than qualified, plus they show a genuine caring attitude towards the students. The tri-mester schedule allows students to take more classes and double and even triple major.
” – Ashley from Dixon, IL
Lake Forest College is a private liberal arts college located north of Chicago, Illinois, near Lake Michigan. The school offers over 200 study abroad programs in places such as Argentina, Bulgaria, Colombia, Poland, and Vietnam. Top fields of study...
If you really want to learn, then you should consider Lake Forest College. Its small class sizes enables for the students to easily establish a relationship with the professor. When one’s stuck, they could easily talk to the professor because (1)...
” – Kelly
The University of California-Riverside is a public institution on 1,200 acres of land in Southern California’s Inland Empire. A part of the UC system, UCR is home to colleges of Humanities, Engineering, and Natural Sciences conferring undergraduate...
Academics at UCR is fast paced because it is on the quarter system, but that doesn't make it easier. Students are expected to learn the material and learn it fast. There are several ways to get help and to further understanding in a subject...
” – Kimberley from Tracy, CA
Founded by the Congregation of the Holy Cross, Stonehill College is a Catholic liberal arts college in southeast Massachusetts. Stonehill confers bachelor’s degrees in over 80 academic programs and all students are required to participate in a...
At Stonehill, I feel as though I am learning a lot. I am currently a biology major. My classes are challenging although they are doable. There are only 2,500 students in my school which leads to an average classroom size of 25. My professors all...
” – Nina from Mount Sinai, NY
Lewis & Clark College is a 4-year liberal arts college in the southwest hills of Portland. Lewis & Clark confers undergraduate degrees in 29 academic majors and 27 minors and all first year students are enrolled in a 2-semester course called...
I find most of my classes interesting, and all of them challenging. I've learned things about subjects that I never thought would interest me!
” – Maelia from Ashland, OR
Millsaps College is a private liberal arts college that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. This Christian institution offers specialized academic programs that include a teaching fellowship, a writing program and an honors program. The...
The thing I love about the Millsaps curriculum is that it's interesting -I even look forward to classes everyday. I highly value the liberal arts experience because it goes beyond the flat technicalities so often taught in some subjects and...
” – Amy from Hattiesburg, MS
Spelman College is an historically Black college and the first in history for women only, which is still the college's primary focus today. The most selective women's college in the nation, Spelman has also topped US News & World Report's list of...
It's EXPENSIVE...but well worth it...to afford it, just keep on top...better yet, AHEAD, of your scholarship searches and info...you'll make it just fine...
” – Chastity from College Grove, TN
Discover a new kind of university in New York City, one where scholars, artists, and designers come together to challenge convention and create positive change. Our university takes full advantage of its location in one of the most vibrant and...
I am currently a student at the Parsons division of The New School, and my major is Fashion Design. The thing that sets me apart from my section (during the first semester you will be a part of a section that you have almost all of your classes with...
” – Briana from Corpus Christi, TX
Albion College is a private liberal arts college associated with the United Methodist Church, though the institution is committed to religious diversity and non-discrimination. It is included in the 2019 Top 100 Liberal Arts Colleges in the US...
I'll be a sophomore for the 2009-2010 school year. The classes I took last year were mainly the basic classes for starting your science major and I felt like I was learning a lot and it was challenging but manageable.
” – Ashley from Waterford, MI
Calling Des Moines, Iowa, its home, Drake University is a midsize, private institution of higher learning with more than 70 majors available to its undergraduate students. Cultivated over 130 years of educating, The Drake Curriculum features small...
I feel like I didn't learn anything in high school, but I love college! At Drake I feel like the professors really teach you the material and most make it interesting!
” – Kristin from Lockport, IL
The Rochester Institute of Technology is a 4-year private university of technology, arts, and design in northwest New York State. RIT is home to 11 colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees. Additionally, RIT offers a co-op program that...
Part of being a Software Engineering major means spending a year with Computer Science students learning the basics of computer programming. When I first came to RIT, I knew nothing about writing code but the classes challenged and taught me well and...
” – Geoff from Avon, NY
With campus overlooking Perkiomen Creek, Ursinus College is a 4-year liberal arts college in the Philadelphia metro area. Ursinus grants bachelor’s degrees in 60 academic areas of study and all first year students are enrolled in the college’s...
The professors are always there for students anytime the student needs help. It is important to the university that the students truly understand the material, instead of just squeezing by. All of the professors have a wide range of knowledge and...
” – Stephanie
Founded in 1878 by the Society of Jesus, Creighton University is a Jesuit Catholic university in Omaha. Creighton hosts nine colleges and schools offering degrees in over 140 areas of study. As a Catholic institution, Creighton holds daily mass and...
I have never worked so hard in my life. The process has so much stress, but it is the progress the feels the best.
” – Audrianna from Omaha , NE
Earlham College is a liberal arts institution situated in Richmond, IN. Earlham grounds their curricula in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, emphasizing intellectual and practical skills, personal and social responsibility, and...
Amazing and wonderful school with a great pride in community and friendship. Very academically rigorous and quite rewarding. A large variety of classes and majors are available with very helpful professors to guide you throughout your time here
” – Hosanna from Richmond, IN
Bennington College is a progressive liberal arts college, the hub at which global opportunities converge, and a launching pad for careers of meaning. Our campus prepares leaders, intellectual change-makers, and artists by empowering them to shape...
I recently had a tour at Bennington College and I also attended an information session. The impression I got was that Bennington College offers students an amazing education for several reasons:
1. Students learn what they want to learn: Students...

Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private, 4-year institution established in the capital city of Lincoln. Students attending NWU are eligible to receive a $1000 renewable grant if they schedule a campus visit. Academics at the college are based upon...
The professors are eager to teach and they have a lot of neat classes that you can take.
” – Nebraskan
Drew University is more than a place to earn your degree—it is the beginning of a successful, purpose-driven life.
Choose from 40+ majors, 60+ minors, 18 Dual-Degree programs and 17 pre-professional programs. Every student graduates with a purpose...
There is no doubt in my mind that I am learning a lot at Drew. This college is on the Princeton Review's list of top universities and top liberal arts colleges for a reason! The topics are very engaging and intense, and although I've had a couple of...
” – Eve from North Bergen, NJ
Located in Galesburg, Illinois, Knox College is a 4-year liberal arts institution. On top of traditional bachelor programs, Knox has cooperative programs with other colleges, immersion terms for hands-on exploration of a single field for a full term...
Knox College is a fantastic school for the case in favor of liberal arts education. Even though the format of classes is drastically different than most traditional high schools, the less concrete and more philosophical topics that are usually...
” – Grant from Arlington Heights, IL
Founded in 1871, the State University of New York at Geneseo is a public liberal arts college in western New York State and a campus of the SUNY system. Geneseo grants bachelor’s degrees in 50 academic majors and 27 interdisciplinary minors. With...
Despite the frigid weather, the atmosphere at SUNY Geneseo is unparalleled with attention grabbing sunsets, rolling hills and a picturesque college town vibe. The academic program at Geneseo provides a diverse array of classes with professors who...
” – Danielle from Coram, NY
Founded in 1812, Lycoming College is a private, liberal arts institution established in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In order to graduate, each student is required to fulfill an Enhanced Academic Experience, which can consist of a cooperative program...
The faculty at Lycoming College really want you to learn and to succeed in class. They are all open to questions and are willing to do whatever it takes to help you.
” – Jonath from Mifflinburg, PA
Founded in 1888, the University of Puget Sound is a 4-year liberal arts college in the Seattle metro area. UPS awards bachelor’s degrees in over 50 traditional and interdisciplinary fields of study and a number of programs feature experiential...
In my Freshman year I learned the hard way that High School study habits don't make the cut here and I am better for it. UPS makes you work hard for what you want to achieve, but the professors also know how to make it interesting. I was worried that...
” – Jessica from Graham, WA
Brigham Young University-Provo is a private research institution located in Provo, Utah, and founded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU offers study abroad programs through their satellite campuses in more than 20 sites...
All of the professors are experts in their fields, and are willing to go the extra mile to help make sure you learn what you want to.
” – Michelle from Provo, UT
Cornell College is a liberal arts institution situated in Mount Vernon, Iowa, that was founded in 1853. Deemed “more selective,” Cornell is one of only 40 schools profiled by Loren Pope's book "Colleges That Change Lives" and also ranks as a top tier...
I love the atmosphere of learning here. There is always something academic going on, from the many guest lecturers and visiting professors to class field trips. I can focus fully on one subject at a time and not have to worry about having two papers...
” – Lucee from Pleasanton, TX
Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, Butler University is a nationally recognized university with six academic colleges and more than 85 majors, spanning the arts, business, communication, education, liberal arts and sciences, and pharmacy and health...
Butler University is a small school with all of the benefits of a large school. The professors know me by name, the students truly care about each other, and the university makes it easy to feel at home. It is perfectly located close enough to...
” – Miranda from Maple Grove, MN
Founded in 1870, Canisius College is a private, Jesuit institution located in Buffalo, New York. Admissions are rated as “selective.” Biology, psychology, finance, accounting and Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation are among the most popular...
Canisius has great programs for the majors and minors that they offer. The science programs are very demanding, but will prepare you for medical, dental, and vet schools.
” – Lauren from NYBy State
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