by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong anthropology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for anthropology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in anthropology, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,639. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $40,178. That is a strong return on a $14,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,639. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,036. Set against $14,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $22,962 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #4 place for anthropology. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $19,677. Anthropology graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #5 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,888 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $24,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
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Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #6 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,015. Anthropology graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida placed #7 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $32,477. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,375. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida State University placed #9 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,725 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. That is a strong return on a $20,725 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Flagler College St Augustine placed #10 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Saint Augustine, Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,900. Students borrow a median of $25,547 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Flagler College St Augustine generally make around $33,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Eckerd College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Saint Petersburg, Eckerd College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,884. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Eckerd College generally make around $20,191. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rollins College landed the #12 spot for anthropology value this year. Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. In-state tuition and fees average $60,580. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,203 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $40,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami placed #13 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $57,234. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.