2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for anthropology students.
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2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Leading the list is Salt Lake Community College, our #1 best value for anthropology in the Rocky Mountains Region. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $24,401. Anthropology graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $30,139 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,283. Anthropology graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $12,886. Anthropology graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #6 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $22,887. Anthropology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $27,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Utah State University came in at #7 for value in anthropology this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $27,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #8 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $54,507. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #9 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $31,135 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $21,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #10 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,559 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $52,626 early in their careers. Set against $23,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana landed the #11 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,235 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $30,011. Set against $27,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Idaho State University placed #12 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Boise State University placed #13 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $29,572 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $37,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,572 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #14 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $25,367. Anthropology graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $27,178 early in their careers. Set against $25,367 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $47,703. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #16 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $36,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
