2027 Best Value Anthropology Associate’s Degree Schools
[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.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value anthropology schools.
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2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Our analysis ranked West Valley College the best value for a degree in anthropology in the United States. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Diablo Valley College earned it the #5 place for anthropology. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #7 spot for anthropology value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Orange Coast College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Butte College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Grossmont College earned the #10 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #11 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Cosumnes River College landed the #12 spot for anthropology value this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College landed the #14 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District came in at #15 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Ventura College earned the #16 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,250. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College earned the #17 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College came in at #18 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Chaffey College placed #19 among the best values for anthropology. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $6,952. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College placed #20 among the best values for anthropology. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College landed the #21 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College earned the #22 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Sacramento City College came in at #23 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #24 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $9,980. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Miracosta College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,750. Median earnings reach $43,845 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Anthropology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for anthropology this year:
Other Anthropology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Anthropology rankings across degree levels:
View All Anthropology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
