[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 597 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology students.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #1 spot for value among anthropology schools in the United States. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,722 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $38,879 early in their careers. Set against $13,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,200 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,680. That is a strong return on a $10,200 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $29,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,639 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $29,036 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #6 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #7 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #8 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,813. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cuny Queens College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,835 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $22,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College placed #10 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Florida Online ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Princeton University placed #12 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $10,888. Anthropology graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $12,500. Anthropology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $22,351 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #14 among the best values for anthropology. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $26,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,231 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $20,949. That is a strong return on a $14,231 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #16 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $12,646 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $25,354. That is a strong return on a $12,646 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #17 spot for anthropology value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $20,675 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $32,460. Set against $20,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida State University earned the #18 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $20,725 in student loans. 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. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Channel Islands ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,914. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,502. That is a strong return on a $20,914 median debt. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego came in at #20 for value in anthropology 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $13,958 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $28,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,958 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay came in at #21 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #22 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $15,379. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $33,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #23 for value in anthropology this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $11,982 in student loans. 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. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Utah Valley University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,888 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $24,331. That is a strong return on a $21,888 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Anthropology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in anthropology:
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 255 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
