by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology students.
What’s on this page:
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 Central New Mexico Community College this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for anthropology. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $19,026. Anthropology graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $12,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of New Mexico Main Campus one of the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $23,814. Anthropology graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $50,189 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,814 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.