by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for anthropology in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for anthropology. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $13,722. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $38,879. Set against $13,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. 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. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,070 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $33,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for anthropology. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny City College came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for value in anthropology this year. 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. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $22,917. Set against $14,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University placed #8 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,723 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $31,018. That is a strong return on a $25,723 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny At Albany came in at #10 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $23,250. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,900. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo placed #11 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,218. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Stony Brook University landed the #12 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $19,449 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $23,845. That is a strong return on a $19,449 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Waynesburg University landed the #13 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,480. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Waynesburg University generally make around $55,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Waynesburg University admits about 90% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #14 spot for anthropology value this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,540 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $32,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #15 spot for anthropology value this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $17,288. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys College Of Maryland landed the #16 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,298, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of St Marys College Of Maryland earn a median of $41,665 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Suny At Binghamton landed the #17 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $31,487. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #18 position for value in anthropology this year. 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. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $34,500 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $34,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo came in at #19 for value in anthropology this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $29,460. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny At Purchase College came in at #20 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $18,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #21 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $36,978 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Rowan University landed the #22 spot for anthropology value this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $24,488. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $52,031. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Haverford College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Haverford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #24 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Barnard College landed the #25 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $17,609 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. Set against $17,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for anthropology this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.