Best Anthropology Programs in Alabama for 2027

Anthropology Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Alabama

5 schools in Alabama awarded anthropology bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 405 bachelor’s programs nationwide.

1. 1

   The University of Alabama

   Anthropology, BA

   Tuscaloosa · Public

   58.2 Comparison Score

   All four subfields appear in the 34-hour major: cultural anthropology, archaeology, language and culture, and biological anthropology. After those introductions you take one 300-400 level archaeology course, with options like Archaeological Field Research, GIS for Archaeologists or Laboratory Methods Archaeology, plus a biological, cultural or linguistic course and 12 hours of upper-level electives. Two optional tracks are available: Health Professions, and Archaeology of the Americas, which targets careers in cultural resource management. The major also requires a minor or second major, and the department awarded 23 degrees in 2023–24.

   Introductory Core

   ANT 102, 107, 210 and 270, with 4 hours of biological anthropology

   Specialized Tracks

   Health Professions or Archaeology of the Americas, at major and minor levels

   Minor Requirement

   A minor or second major is required

   Program Sources: Anthropology, BA | University of AlabamaAnthropology Major – Anthropology

   Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded

   23

   Anthropology, 2023–24

   School Six-Year Graduation Rate

   73%

   6,628 first-time, full-time students

   Median Graduate Earnings

   $35,701

   Anthropology bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard

   In-State Tuition + Fees

   $12,180

   Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

   Out-of-State Tuition + Fees

   $34,172

   Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

   The University of Alabama: Anthropology, BA
2. 2

   Troy University

   Bachelor of Science in Anthropology

   Troy · Public

   51.4 Comparison Score

   Troy covers all four subfields, archaeology, biological anthropology including forensic sciences, cultural anthropology and linguistics, with a stated focus on archaeology and forensic anthropology. Courses can include Biological Anthropology, Language in Culture and Society, Anthropological Statistics and Introduction to Archaeology. Fieldwork is built into the experience: digs across the southeastern U.S. and Italy, anthropology labs, and part-time work at the TROY Archaeological Research Center. The department also runs an Anthropology Club and a chapter of the Alabama Archaeological Society, and an accelerated six-year BS/JD is available. 19 students finished the degree in 2023–24.

   Subfields

   Archaeology, biological anthropology with forensic sciences, cultural anthropology and linguistics

   Field Experience

   Excavations and archaeological projects in the southeastern U.S. and Italy

   Law Pathway

   Accelerated six-year BS/JD for anthropology majors

   Program Sources: Anthropology Degree | Troy University

   Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded

   19

   Anthropology, 2023–24

   School Six-Year Graduation Rate

   49%

   1,653 first-time, full-time students

   In-State Tuition + Fees

   $10,176

   Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

   Out-of-State Tuition + Fees

   $20,352

   Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

   Troy University: Bachelor of Science in Anthropology
4. 3

   Auburn University

   Anthropology (ANTH)

   Auburn · Public

   51.4 Comparison Score

   Auburn’s four-year plan starts with Anthropology: Culture and Adaptation, then adds methods and subfield courses: Ethnographic Methods, Archaeology, Language and Culture, and Biological Anthropology. Theories of Culture in Anthropology comes in the senior year, and the plan recommends it for all juniors and seniors. You pair that sequence with a behavioral sciences analytics course, two semesters of foreign language in the College Core and several directed anthropology electives chosen with a program advisor. Together with core and free electives the plan totals 120 hours. Auburn awarded 8 anthropology degrees in 2023–24.

   Methods and Subfields

   ANTH 2000 Ethnographic Methods, 3500 Archaeology, 3100 Language and Culture, 3300 Biological Anthropology

   Theory

   ANTH 4310 Theories of Culture in Anthropology

   Directed Electives

   Chosen with an anthropology program advisor

   Program Sources: Anthropology (ANTH) | Auburn University Bulletin

   Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded

   8

   Anthropology, 2023–24

   School Six-Year Graduation Rate

   82%

   4,732 first-time, full-time students

   In-State Tuition + Fees

   $12,890

   Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

   Out-of-State Tuition + Fees

   $34,922

   Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

   Auburn University: Anthropology (ANTH)
5. 4

   University of Alabama at Birmingham

   Anthropology, BA

   Birmingham · Public

   44.3 Comparison Score

   UAB’s BA requires introductory courses in cultural anthropology, biological anthropology with a lab, archaeology and language and culture. You then pick one theory course, either Anthropology of Peace and Human Rights or Foundations in Anthropological Theory, and one methods course from a list that includes Archaeological Field School, Human Osteology, Forensic Anthropology and Ethnographic Field Methods. Another 18 credit hours in anthropology complete the major, with at least 9 at the 300 or 400 level. Faculty research reaches satellite archaeology, Egyptology, peace studies and human rights. It awarded 10 degrees in 2023–24.

   Theory Choice

   ANTH 404 Anthropology of Peace and Human Rights or ANTH 444 Foundations in Anthropological Theory

   Methods Options

   Field school, osteology, forensic anthropology, ethnographic field methods, museum studies and more

   Grade Requirement

   C or better in all anthropology courses

   Program Sources: Department of Anthropology | Catalogs | The University of Alabama at BirminghamDepartment of Anthropology | Catalogs | The University of Alabama at Birmingham

   Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded

   10

   Anthropology, 2023–24

   School Six-Year Graduation Rate

   64%

   2,239 first-time, full-time students

   Median Graduate Earnings

   $31,991

   Anthropology bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard

   In-State Tuition + Fees

   $9,098

   Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

   Out-of-State Tuition + Fees

   $22,562

   Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

   University of Alabama at Birmingham: Anthropology, BA
6. 5

   University of South Alabama

   Anthropology (BA)

   Mobile · Public

   36.3 Comparison Score

   You start South Alabama’s Anthropology BA with Intro to Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, and Biological Anthropology with its lab, then add a one-credit course called Thinking Anthropologically and a writing-intensive Anthropological Theory course. Methods is your choice of archaeological field work, archaeology lab methods, cultural research methods or human osteology. Beyond that you pick one upper-division course in each of archaeology, biological anthropology and cultural anthropology, plus nine hours of anthropology electives at the 200 level or above. The 2023–24 graduating class numbered 5.

   Methods Choice

   Field work in archaeology, archaeology lab methods, cultural research methods or human osteology

   Subfield Spread

   One upper-division course each in archaeology, biological anthropology and cultural anthropology

   Theory Course

   Anthropological Theory, a writing-intensive course

   Program Sources: Anthropology (BA) | University of South Alabama

   Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded

   5

   Anthropology, 2023–24

   School Six-Year Graduation Rate

   52%

   1,888 first-time, full-time students

   In-State Tuition + Fees

   $10,116

   Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

   Out-of-State Tuition + Fees

   $19,092

   Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25

   University of South Alabama: Anthropology (BA)