by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Lehman College the best value for a degree in anthropology in New York. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $10,200. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $26,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,835. Anthropology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $22,917 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Stony Brook University placed #6 among the best values for anthropology. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $19,449. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $23,845. That is a strong return on a $19,449 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany earned the #7 position for value in anthropology this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $29,900. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #8 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $26,218. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #9 among the best values for anthropology. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $26,540. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $32,485. That is a strong return on a $26,540 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #10 position for value in anthropology this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. 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.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #11 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. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo landed the #12 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $24,500. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,460. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #13 for value in anthropology this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $31,487 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $15,375. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $18,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Barnard College landed the #15 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $17,609 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $50,790. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
Hamilton College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,960. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $48,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Skidmore College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,140. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $34,440. That is a strong return on a $18,274 median debt. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
New York University earned the #18 position for value in anthropology this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Syracuse University came in at #19 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $23,249. Anthropology graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $16,844 early in their careers. Set against $23,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Vassar College landed the #20 spot for anthropology value this year. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $18,486 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $37,412 early in their careers. Set against $18,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants.
Fordham University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $24,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $40,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
The New School earned the #22 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $24,460. Anthropology graduates of The New School earn a median of $38,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.