2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 142 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value anthropology schools.
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2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for anthropology in California. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. 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.
Fresno City College came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $7,234. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College placed #7 among the best values for anthropology. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #8 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $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%.
Saddleback College came in at #9 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #10 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $41,403. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Santa Monica College landed the #11 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Sacramento City College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
American River College earned the #13 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,105. 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.
Sierra College landed the #14 spot for anthropology value this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District earned the #15 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
California State University Fullerton landed the #16 spot for anthropology value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,404. Anthropology graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $26,794 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Butte College came in at #17 for value in anthropology this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $13,302. Anthropology graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College earned the #18 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #19 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,692. 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.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #20 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Long Beach City College placed #21 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College came in at #22 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College placed #23 among the best values for anthropology. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Bakersfield College earned the #24 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #25 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $12,646 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $25,354. Set against $12,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Anthropology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for anthropology this year:
More Anthropology Rankings
View All Anthropology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 142 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
