2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in anthropology in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $40,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,639 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,036. That is a strong return on a $14,639 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,725. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $51,884. That is a strong return on a $20,725 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #4. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $11,982 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $36,211. That is a strong return on a $11,982 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,888 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $24,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,888 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida earned the #6 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $19,677. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida came in at #7 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $18,000. Anthropology graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $32,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #8 for value in anthropology this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,962 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $26,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #9 position for value in anthropology this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $50,726. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University placed #10 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida landed the #11 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #12 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $25,901. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #13 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $43,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University earned the #14 position for value in anthropology this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $22,595. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $28,262. Set against $22,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #15 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $19,495 early in their careers. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #16 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,366. Anthropology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $20,396 early in their careers. Set against $20,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #17 among the best values for anthropology. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $20,793. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $21,878. Set against $20,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Memphis earned the #18 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,081 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $23,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #19 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University placed #20 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $26,836 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University earned the #21 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Troy University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $26,439. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $46,723. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #23 for value in anthropology this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $19,624. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University earned the #24 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,358 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $23,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #25 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $29,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Anthropology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s anthropology value ranking:
Narrow Anthropology Schools by State
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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
