by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 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.
For return on investment in anthropology, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $10,855. Anthropology graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,401 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $30,139. That is a strong return on a $24,401 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Utah University earned it the #4 place for anthropology. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $12,886. Anthropology graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $34,502 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,288 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,502 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University landed the #6 spot for anthropology value this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $24,640. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $51,446. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt.
University Of Wyoming landed the #7 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Utah State University landed the #8 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,831. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #9 position for value in anthropology this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $54,507. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $31,135. Anthropology graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $21,930 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,135 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #11 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $22,887 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #12 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $23,559. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $52,626. That is a strong return on a $23,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The University Of Montana landed the #13 spot for anthropology value this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,235 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $30,011. Set against $27,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College came in at #14 for value in anthropology this year. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. Students borrow a median of $17,592 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $25,891 early in their careers. Set against $17,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $25,667. Anthropology graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $35,432 early in their careers. Set against $25,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $25,367. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $27,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University placed #17 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $29,572 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $37,781. Set against $29,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University landed the #18 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $47,703. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $36,822. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado College earned the #20 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,734. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.