2027 Best Value Anthropology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong anthropology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 224 schools to find the best return on investment for anthropology students.
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2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,722 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $38,879. Set against $13,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #3 place for anthropology. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $10,200. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,680. Set against $10,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,364. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #5 place for anthropology. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,639. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,036. Set against $14,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,404. Anthropology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $26,794 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online placed #7 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. 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. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #8 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. 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 came in at #9 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $13,389. 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 came in at #10 for value in anthropology this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Queens College placed #11 among the best values for anthropology. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $14,835 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $22,917. Set against $14,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino placed #12 among the best values for anthropology. 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, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge placed #13 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $17,750. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fresno ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,231 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #15 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $11,982. Anthropology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $36,211 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,982 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,675. Anthropology graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,460 early in their careers. Set against $20,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #17 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #18 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $11,427 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $21,213. Set against $11,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Utah Valley University came in at #19 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $16,478. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach landed the #20 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $22,351. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Florida State University placed #21 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,725. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. That is a strong return on a $20,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Channel Islands placed #22 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $20,914 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $26,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,914 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #23 among the best values for anthropology. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $32,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in anthropology this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,888 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $24,331. That is a strong return on a $21,888 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida came in at #25 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $32,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Anthropology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for anthropology this year:
Other Anthropology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value anthropology schools at other degree levels:
View All Anthropology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 224 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 224 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
