[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 266 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value anthropology schools.
Finding the Best Value Anthropology School for You
Where you study anthropology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Anthropology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Anthropology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Cuny Lehman College tops our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools in the United States. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,722 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $38,879 early in their careers. Set against $13,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Valley College earned it the #3 place for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,200 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $26,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $41,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,639. Anthropology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $40,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton earned the #7 position for value in anthropology this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $26,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Monica College placed #8 among the best values for anthropology. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Moorpark College came in at #9 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online landed the #10 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,639. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $29,036. That is a strong return on a $14,639 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #11 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $13,303. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #14 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College came in at #15 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $9,205. Anthropology graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Cuny Queens College landed the #16 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,835. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $22,917. Set against $14,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Pasadena City College earned the #17 position for value in anthropology this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $12,646. Anthropology graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $25,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,646 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Saddleback College placed #19 among the best values for anthropology. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge came in at #20 for value in anthropology this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $26,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Orange Coast College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College landed the #22 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
California State University Fresno earned the #23 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $14,231 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $20,949. Set against $14,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Grossmont College placed #24 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #25 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Anthropology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for anthropology this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 266 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 266 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
