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 5 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 Troy University this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $46,723. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at University Of Alabama At Birmingham, which ranked #2. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $55,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Alabama one of the best values for anthropology. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.