2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Massachusetts

[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value anthropology schools.
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2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Massachusetts
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
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for anthropology in Massachusetts. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $16,616. Anthropology graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Boston earned it the #2 place for anthropology. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $36,565. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #3 place for anthropology. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $24,120. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boston University earned it the #4 place for anthropology. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Boston University earn a median of $26,934 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at Wellesley College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $31,973. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Mount Holyoke College landed the #6 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Students borrow a median of $21,178 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $19,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $18,941. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $40,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Brandeis University landed the #8 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $35,390 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Tufts University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $68,154. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.