2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Moorpark College tops our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for anthropology. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes College Of The Sequoias one of the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #7 for value in anthropology this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
West Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,000. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Monica College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
American River College came in at #12 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,105. Anthropology graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
El Camino Community College District ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Sierra College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
California State University Fullerton placed #16 among the best values for anthropology. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #17 position for value in anthropology this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #18 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,692. Anthropology graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $67,048. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Diablo Valley College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $9,205. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Long Beach City College landed the #22 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #23 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Bakersfield College earned the #24 position for value in anthropology this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino placed #25 among the best values for anthropology. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $12,646 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $25,354. That is a strong return on a $12,646 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Anthropology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s anthropology value ranking:
Narrow Anthropology Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 171 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong anthropology education at a price that pays off.
