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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Physical & Biological Anthropology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1 Colleges in the United States
$21,721 Avg Student Debt
$76,116 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Physical & Biological Anthropology Bachelor's Degree Badge [Physical & Biological Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/physical-and-biological-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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for physical & biological anthropology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Physical & Biological Anthropology Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical & biological anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Physical & Biological Anthropology Schools

1

For return on investment in physical & biological anthropology, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical & biological anthropology graduates is $13,958. Soon after graduation, physical & biological anthropology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Set against $13,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

2
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physical & biological anthropology schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the physical & biological anthropology program here. Early-career physical & biological anthropology graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

3

Students looking for strong value in physical & biological anthropology will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,260 to complete the physical & biological anthropology program here. Early-career physical & biological anthropology graduates make about $49,755. Set against $21,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

4

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical & biological anthropology schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,834 to complete the physical & biological anthropology program here. Physical & Biological Anthropology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $28,172 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

5
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

A rank of #5 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values for physical & biological anthropology. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Physical & Biological Anthropology graduates carry a median of $19,449 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical & biological anthropology degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.

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6

Kent State University At Kent landed the #6 spot for physical & biological anthropology value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical & biological anthropology graduates is $26,697. Early-career physical & biological anthropology graduates make about $44,776. That is a strong return on a $26,697 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

7

Suny At Binghamton landed the #7 spot for physical & biological anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Physical & Biological Anthropology graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Physical & Biological Anthropology graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

8
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #8 spot for physical & biological anthropology value this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Physical & Biological Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical & biological anthropology degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $26,934. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

9
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #9 position for value in physical & biological anthropology this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical & biological anthropology graduates is $21,897. Early-career physical & biological anthropology graduates make about $64,516. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

10

George Washington University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical & biological anthropology schools. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Typical student debt for physical & biological anthropology graduates is $27,000. Physical & Biological Anthropology graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $22,614 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 47%.

Other Physical & Biological Anthropology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value physical & biological anthropology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Physical & Biological Anthropology
Associate's Degrees in Physical & Biological Anthropology
Master's Degrees in Physical & Biological Anthropology
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View All Physical & Biological Anthropology Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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