2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in North Carolina

[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for anthropology students.
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2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among anthropology schools in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $11,982 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $36,211 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $25,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Western Carolina University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $22,595 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $28,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,750. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Carolina University earned it the #5 place for anthropology. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $24,228. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Appalachian State University earned the #6 position for value in anthropology this year. 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, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $19,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #7 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $29,518. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #8 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $24,112. Anthropology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $25,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,112 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.