by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong anthropology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 597 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in anthropology, no school beat Moorpark College 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. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $17,075. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Camino Community College District earned it the #3 place for anthropology. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
A rank of #4 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for anthropology. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
American River College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,105. Anthropology graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $14,692. Anthropology graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College placed #8 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $6,999. Anthropology graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Fresno City College landed the #9 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $9,205. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #11 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College came in at #12 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College came in at #13 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Sierra College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College landed the #15 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College earned the #16 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #17 among the best values for anthropology. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College earned the #18 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College earned the #19 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $8,767. Anthropology graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
College Of Southern Nevada earned the #21 position for value in anthropology this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College earned the #22 position for value in anthropology this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College came in at #24 for value in anthropology this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the anthropology program here. 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.
East Los Angeles College earned the #25 position for value in anthropology this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s anthropology value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Anthropology rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 597 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.