2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Southeast Region

[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 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in anthropology in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,639 to complete the anthropology program here. 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. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $11,982. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $36,211. Set against $11,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,639 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $29,036. That is a strong return on a $14,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,888 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $24,331. Set against $21,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State University one of the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Florida earned the #6 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $32,477. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #7 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,922. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #8 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $22,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $26,418. Set against $22,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $19,677. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #10 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $25,901 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #11 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Georgia landed the #13 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,366 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $20,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University placed #14 among the best values for anthropology. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Western Carolina University placed #15 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $22,595 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $28,262. That is a strong return on a $22,595 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,793. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $21,878. Set against $20,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Kennesaw State University landed the #17 spot for anthropology value this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,787 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $30,544. That is a strong return on a $26,787 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #18 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $27,805 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Georgia Southern University placed #19 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #20 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, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $24,228. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #21 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $29,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $19,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University came in at #23 for value in anthropology this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,358 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $23,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
George Mason University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,937 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $37,081. That is a strong return on a $23,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Mississippi State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $23,969. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,836. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Anthropology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for anthropology this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.