I know this a comment on an older post but as applications for programs are about to go in full swing again, I thought I'd share somethings I've learned throughout my graduate career.
There will be several universities that are still considered prestigious because of their history and not their current program. This is an important thing to remember when looking for the right program. Popular Opinion: Michigan, Arizona State, and UChicago remain some of the top anthropology programs that come to people's mind.
There are multiple factors that should go into deciding which university is the best for you:
1) Recognition is important but once you begin networking at conferences and conducting your own research, you will be judged on this more than the university you attend.
2) An advisor that can help you grow both academically and personally. Graduate school is demanding and people often get discouraged. Its beneficial to have an advisor that care about you as a person and not just as a academic student. You also want to find someone that can help grow your skillset.
3) University resources and relationships. I chose the university I am attending now because of the relationship and collaboration with the Indigenous tribes in the area. This was extremely important to me. This would include funding opportunities, equipment, TA/RA positions. If you are accepted to Michigan and UNC: Chapel Hill but only UNC is offering funding - go and don't worry about Michigan. TA/RA positions also make a difference because these should be helping build your CV and not just being thrown in something that isn't applicable to your future career goals.
4) An advisor with resources and recognition. I believe this is actually more important than the university. My GF (who is also an archaeologist) was accepted to UChicago and Duke but chose her current university because of the faculty member that would be her advisor. He has much more recognition and resources in her particular interest than Duke or UChicago could offer her for what she was interested in.
Overall, find the university that fits you best. At a certain point the level of recognition a university has doesn't matter as long as you are getting the resources to make yourself stand out.
