2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the New England Region
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong anthropology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for anthropology students.
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2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the New England Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in anthropology in the New England Region. 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. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Bowdoin College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,658. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 7%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $36,565 early in their careers. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $26,632. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. That is a strong return on a $26,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Vermont ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $31,717. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Maine earned the #7 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $23,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut landed the #8 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $18,500. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $33,758. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #9 position for value in anthropology this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $24,120. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Wellesley College placed #10 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $11,075. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $31,973. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $30,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Colby College placed #12 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $46,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.
Middlebury College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,600. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $15,948. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $54,713. That is a strong return on a $15,948 median debt. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.
Brown University earned the #14 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $13,025. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Boston University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. 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. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $25,250. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,934. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Wesleyan University came in at #16 for value in anthropology this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Dartmouth College earned the #17 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,363 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $40,071 early in their careers. Set against $14,363 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Holyoke College earned the #18 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,178. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $19,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Southern New Hampshire University earned the #19 position for value in anthropology this year. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. Students from in state pay about $17,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $34,312 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $41,986 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Brandeis University placed #20 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $35,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Tufts University landed the #21 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
