2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Massachusetts

[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for anthropology students.
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2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Harvard University earned the #1 spot for value among anthropology schools in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,632 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. Set against $26,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $36,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $24,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Wellesley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $31,973 early in their careers. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,934. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Holyoke College landed the #7 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,178. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $19,655. Set against $21,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Brandeis University earned the #8 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $35,390. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University placed #9 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $17,074. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
More Anthropology Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.