2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Our analysis ranked Central New Mexico Community College the best value for a degree in anthropology in the Southwest Region. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $11,427. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $21,213. Set against $11,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $19,026. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $12,059. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas At San Antonio one of the best values for anthropology. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,329 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $26,735 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Clear Lake earned it the #5 place for anthropology. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $29,444 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $51,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Arizona State University landed the #6 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $31,640 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa Community College came in at #7 for value in anthropology this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston placed #8 among the best values for anthropology. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $34,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #9 for value in anthropology this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,168 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $28,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northern Arizona University earned the #10 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,819 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona placed #11 among the best values for anthropology. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,269 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $33,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #12 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $17,229. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #13 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $25,000. Anthropology graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $39,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #14 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,704. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #15 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $22,523 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $31,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,523 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $23,814 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $50,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #17 spot for anthropology value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,264. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $28,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Texas Tech University earned the #18 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $30,385. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $28,369. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
Narrow Anthropology Schools by State
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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
