2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the New England Region

1

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in anthropology in the New England Region. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

2

Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,658. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 7%.

3

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $36,565 early in their careers. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

4

Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $26,632. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. That is a strong return on a $26,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

5

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

6

University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $31,717. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

7

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

University Of Maine earned the #7 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $23,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut landed the #8 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $18,500. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $33,758. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.

9

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #9 position for value in anthropology this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $24,120. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.

10

Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College placed #10 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $11,075. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $31,973. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.

11

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $30,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.

12

Colby College
Waterville, ME

Colby College placed #12 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $46,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.

13

Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,600. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $15,948. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $54,713. That is a strong return on a $15,948 median debt. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.

14

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University earned the #14 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $13,025. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

15

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $25,250. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,934. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

16

Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University came in at #16 for value in anthropology this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

17

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College earned the #17 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,363 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $40,071 early in their careers. Set against $14,363 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

18

Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College earned the #18 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,178. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $19,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

19

Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH

Southern New Hampshire University earned the #19 position for value in anthropology this year. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. Students from in state pay about $17,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $34,312 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $41,986 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

20

Brandeis University
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University placed #20 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $35,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.

21

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University landed the #21 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.