2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Our analysis ranked Central New Mexico Community College the best value for a degree in anthropology in the Southwest Region. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

2

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $11,427. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $21,213. Set against $11,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

3

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $19,026. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $12,059. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

4

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas At San Antonio one of the best values for anthropology. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,329 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $26,735 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

5

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Clear Lake earned it the #5 place for anthropology. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $29,444 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $51,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University landed the #6 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $31,640 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College came in at #7 for value in anthropology this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston placed #8 among the best values for anthropology. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $34,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

9

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #9 for value in anthropology this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,168 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $28,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

10

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University earned the #10 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,819 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

11

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona placed #11 among the best values for anthropology. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,269 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $33,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

12

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #12 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $17,229. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

13

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos placed #13 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $25,000. Anthropology graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $39,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #14 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,704. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

15

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #15 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $22,523 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $31,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,523 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

16

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $23,814 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $50,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

17

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #17 spot for anthropology value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,264. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $28,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

18

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University earned the #18 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $30,385. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

19

Baylor University
Waco, TX

Baylor University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $28,369. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.