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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

41 Colleges in the United States
$21,285 Avg Student Debt
$71,983 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Anthropology Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 99 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value anthropology schools.

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2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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

Best Value Anthropology Schools

1
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in anthropology in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

2

Cuny Lehman College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $13,722. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $38,879. Set against $13,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

3
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $10,200. 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. The acceptance rate is 54%.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for anthropology. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,070. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $33,837. That is a strong return on a $20,070 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

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6

Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for anthropology value this year. 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. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,835. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $22,917. Set against $14,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

7
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College placed #7 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

8
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo came in at #8 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $26,218. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

9
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University landed the #9 spot for anthropology value this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $19,449. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $23,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

10
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany came in at #10 for value in anthropology this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,900. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #11 for value in anthropology this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $34,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $86,770. Set against $34,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

12

Pennsylvania Western University came in at #12 for value in anthropology this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

13

Suny At Binghamton landed the #13 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $22,250. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $31,487. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.

14

University At Buffalo landed the #14 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $24,500. Anthropology graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $29,460 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

15

Suny At Purchase College placed #15 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $18,085. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.

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16

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #16 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $36,978. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

17

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

18
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University came in at #18 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $52,031. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

19
Waynesburg University crest
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg, PA

Waynesburg University landed the #19 spot for anthropology value this year. Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waynesburg. Students from in state pay about $30,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Waynesburg University earn a median of $55,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Waynesburg University admits about 90% of applicants.

20

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #20 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $26,486. Anthropology graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $22,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

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21
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University placed #21 among the best values for anthropology. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,306. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $52,924. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $25,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

23
Washington College crest
Washington College
Chestertown, MD

Washington College placed #23 among the best values for anthropology. Washington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Chestertown. Students from in state pay about $55,081 in tuition and fees. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,651 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $37,940. Set against $26,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

24
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University earned the #24 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $30,261. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Rochester earned the #25 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Anthropology Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for anthropology this year:

26
Gettysburg College crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA
27
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
28
Monmouth University crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ
29
30
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
31
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY
32
33
34
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY
35
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA
36
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
37
38
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 99 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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