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2023 Best Value Colleges for Anthropology in California (With Aid)

43 Ranked Colleges
2,822 Degrees Awarded
$11,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

Anthropology is the 77th most popular major in the country with 11,415 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, anthropology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $26,616 and had an average of $23,038 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 2,822 anthropology graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,082 and $18,467 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 43 colleges that offered a degree in anthropology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent anthropology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the anthropology program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Anthropology in California (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 264 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for california anthropology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UCLA Anthropology Report

2
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 28 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $12,894 for California Anthropology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Anthropology at Stanford

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 44 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california anthropology students with aid list, Cal State LA has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $3,302 for California Anthropology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Anthropology at California State University - Los Angeles

4

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 91 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,240 for California Anthropology students with aid per year to attend UCSD.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Anthropology at UCSD

5

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #5 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 120 ’s anthropology degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,032 for California Anthropology students with aid per year to attend UC Berkeley.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Anthropology at UC Berkeley

6

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s anthropology degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $8,003 for California Anthropology students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Anthropology at Cal State Fullerton

7

University of California - Irvine landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 89 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $12,209 for california anthropology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Anthropology at UC Irvine

8

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 21 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for california anthropology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Fresno State Anthropology Report

9

University of California - Riverside ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 129 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR also took the #11 spot in our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $11,822 for california anthropology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Anthropology at UCR

10

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 157 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california anthropology students with aid list, UCSB has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for California Anthropology students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full UCSB Anthropology Report

11
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Santa Rosa, California, this fairly large public school awarded 39 degrees to qualified ’s anthropology students in 2020-2021.

SRJC also took the #16 spot in our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SRJC is $6,585 for California Anthropology students with aid.

Read more about Anthropology at Santa Rosa Junior College

12

University of California - Davis came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 89 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also made our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $15,768 for California Anthropology students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Anthropology at UC Davis

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s anthropology degrees to qualified students.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for california anthropology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUN Anthropology Report

14

California State University - Long Beach ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 88 ’s anthropology degrees to qualified students.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,054 for California Anthropology students with aid per year to attend CSULB.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Anthropology at CSULB

15

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 17 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $4,026 for california anthropology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Anthropology at CSUDH

16

With a ranking of #16, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 49 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $11,178 for California Anthropology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Sac State Anthropology Report

17
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 58 ’s anthropology degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for California Anthropology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full San Diego State University Anthropology Report

18

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,566 for california anthropology students with aid per year to attend Stan State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Stan State Anthropology Report

19
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Francisco State University is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 55 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU also made our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $14,459 for California Anthropology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Anthropology at San Francisco State University

20

California State University - East Bay ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california anthropology students with aid list, Cal State East Bay has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,298 for California Anthropology students with aid per year to attend Cal State East Bay.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Anthropology at Cal State East Bay

21

California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. This fairly large school is located in Bakersfield, California, and it awarded 10 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,454 for California Anthropology students with aid per year to attend CSUB.

Read full report on Anthropology at California State University - Bakersfield

22
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

Pomona College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Pomona is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California. It awarded 6 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

Pomona also made our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Pomona is $17,949 for California Anthropology students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Pomona Anthropology Report

23

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 169 degrees to qualified ’s anthropology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california anthropology students with aid list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Anthropology Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $17,930 for california anthropology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Anthropology at University of California - Santa Cruz

24

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified ’s anthropology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,107 for california anthropology students with aid per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Anthropology at California State University - San Bernardino

25
American River crest
American River College
Sacramento, California

American River College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Anthropology Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. American River College is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 20 ’s anthropology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend American River is $5,561 for california anthropology students with aid.

Read more about Anthropology at American River

Notes and References

References

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