2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Virginia

[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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value anthropology schools.
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2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
George Mason University earned the #1 spot for value among anthropology schools in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $23,937. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $37,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of William And Mary earned it the #2 place for anthropology. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $19,067 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Set against $19,067 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 34%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,885 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $30,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $30,686. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,996 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $22,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
More Anthropology Rankings
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.