2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Leading the list is Metropolitan State College Of Denver, our #1 best value for anthropology in Colorado. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $31,135 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $21,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs one of the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $23,559. Anthropology graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $52,626 early in their careers. Set against $23,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Colorado State University Fort Collins one of the best values for anthropology. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,367 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,178. Set against $25,367 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado Boulder earned it the #4 place for anthropology. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,000. Anthropology graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $36,822 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
[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.
