[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.
College Factual analyzed 597 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value anthropology schools.
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Finding the Best Value Anthropology School for You
The anthropology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Anthropology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Anthropology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #1 spot for value among anthropology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $13,722. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $38,879. That is a strong return on a $13,722 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,200 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $26,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $41,403. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,794. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Florida landed the #7 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,639 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $40,178 early in their careers. Set against $14,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #8 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #9 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $13,303. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
El Camino Community College District placed #10 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Oxnard College earned the #11 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
California State University Stanislaus placed #12 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
American River College placed #13 among the best values for anthropology. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #15 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #16 for value in anthropology this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College earned the #17 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,835. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $22,917. Set against $14,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College placed #18 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College landed the #20 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #21 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida Online came in at #22 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,639. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
West Valley College landed the #23 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Santa Monica College landed the #24 spot for anthropology value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Sierra College earned the #25 position for value in anthropology this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Anthropology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for anthropology this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 597 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 265 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).
[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.
