2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Arizona

[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong anthropology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value anthropology schools.
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2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Arizona
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Leading the list is Mesa Community College, our #1 best value for anthropology in Arizona. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $31,640. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Arizona University earned it the #3 place for anthropology. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,819 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,499. Set against $21,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,269 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $33,094. Set against $24,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
More Anthropology Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.