2026 Best Value Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong anthropology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 597 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value anthropology schools.
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2026 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
For return on investment in anthropology, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $22,351 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,375. Anthropology graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $26,922 early in their careers. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $19,677. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #4 place for anthropology. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,962 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,418. That is a strong return on a $22,962 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
A rank of #5 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. 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. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,329. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,735. Set against $21,329 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Harvard University landed the #7 spot for anthropology value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #8 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $19,775 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $19,775 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University landed the #9 spot for anthropology value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,819. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $34,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #10 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,493 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,858. Set against $26,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #11 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $48,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #12 for value in anthropology this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,260. Anthropology graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Set against $21,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University earned the #13 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $24,358 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $25,840. That is a strong return on a $24,358 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
George Mason University placed #14 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,937 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $37,081. Set against $23,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #15 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $33,261. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,814 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $50,189 early in their careers. Set against $23,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana placed #17 among the best values for anthropology. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Students borrow a median of $27,235 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $30,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #18 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $34,500. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $86,770. Set against $34,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #20 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $34,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #21 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $31,996. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Boston University earned the #22 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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.
New York University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
George Washington University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $22,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Teachers College At Columbia University earned the #25 position for value in anthropology this year. Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Anthropology graduates of Teachers College At Columbia University earn a median of $68,822 early in their careers.
Rest of the Top 26 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
This ranking is produced 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 26 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.
