2027 Best Value Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology students.
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2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in anthropology in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $40,178. Set against $14,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $26,794. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $32,300. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,725. Anthropology graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for anthropology. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,888. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $24,331. That is a strong return on a $21,888 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Stanford University landed the #6 spot for anthropology value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #7 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,329. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,735. That is a strong return on a $21,329 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #8 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $13,099 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $25,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,819 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $34,854 early in their careers. Set against $21,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #10 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,168. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $28,160. Set against $21,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #11 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $27,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #12 spot for anthropology value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $24,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University landed the #13 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $24,358 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $25,840. Set against $24,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Harvard University placed #14 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Mississippi State University earned the #15 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,969 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $26,836. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #16 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $21,260 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Set against $21,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Montana earned the #17 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,235 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $30,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,235 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis placed #18 among the best values for anthropology. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $34,489. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #19 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $34,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $34,500 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #21 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $31,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama landed the #22 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Boston University placed #23 among the best values for anthropology. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $25,250. Anthropology graduates of Boston University earn a median of $26,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Denver came in at #24 for value in anthropology this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $22,534. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $56,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Teachers College At Columbia University landed the #25 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Anthropology graduates of Teachers College At Columbia University earn a median of $68,822 early in their careers.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Anthropology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for anthropology this year:
Other Anthropology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Anthropology rankings across degree levels:
View All Anthropology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
