2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Coastal Carolina University earned the #1 spot for value among anthropology schools in South Carolina. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
College Of Charleston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,842. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Clemson University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at University Of South Carolina Columbia, which ranked #4. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $23,687 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $23,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
