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2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Tennessee

5 Colleges in the United States
$21,170 Avg Student Debt
$63,396 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Anthropology Badge [Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value anthropology schools.

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2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Tennessee

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Anthropology Schools

1

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #1 spot for value among anthropology schools in Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $20,793 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $21,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #2. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $20,081 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $23,112. That is a strong return on a $20,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee earned it the #3 place for anthropology. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $24,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

4
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

5
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at Rhodes College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,110. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,078 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $40,807. That is a strong return on a $23,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

6

Sewanee The University Of The South placed #6 among the best values for anthropology. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Set against $22,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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