Skip to main content

Anthropology Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas breaks the mold for affordable Anthropology programs with a net price of just $1,113, making it 55% cheaper than the next most affordable option. This massive price gap reflects the reality that public universities dominate the affordable Anthropology market, with 15 institutions offering programs under $6,200 net cost. The CUNY system claims six spots on this list, capitalizing on New York's position as home to major museums, cultural institutions, and research organizations that regularly hire anthropologists. California State schools also feature prominently, serving a state where entertainment industry consulting and tech company user research create unique career paths for anthropology graduates. Early career earnings span from $25,194 to $38,289, with CUNY Lehman College graduates commanding the highest salaries. Graduation rates vary dramatically, from Ohio University's regional campuses at 19-20% to University of Florida Online at 77.7%, suggesting that program structure and student support systems matter significantly for anthropology majors. These schools prove that studying human culture and society doesn't require breaking the bank.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $10,555
Net Price Range
$26,559
Avg. Program Earnings
51.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Anthropology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
2 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
3 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
4 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
5 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
6 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
7 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
8 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
9 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
10 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
11 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
12 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
13 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
14 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
15 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
16 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
17 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
18 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
19 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
20 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
21 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
22 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
23 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
24 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
25 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
26 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
27 $6,602 $37,143 26.3% 83.0%
28 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
29 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
30 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
31 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
32 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
33 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
34 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
35 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
36 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
37 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
38 $9,110 $14,288 61.9% 77.7%
39 $9,424 $6,110 42.1%
40 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
41 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
42 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
43 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
44 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
45 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
46 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
47 $10,353 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
48 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
49 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
50 $10,555 $59,710 97.1% 5.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Texas A&M University-Central Texas so much cheaper than other programs?

Texas A&M-Central Texas offers a net price of $1,113, which is $1,333 less than the next cheapest option. The university serves a military community in Killeen and operates with lower overhead costs than traditional flagship campuses. With a 95.71% acceptance rate, the school prioritizes accessibility over selectivity. This combination of factors creates an extremely affordable pathway to an anthropology degree.

How do CUNY schools compare for anthropology value?

Six CUNY schools make this affordable list, with net prices ranging from $2,446 at Hunter College to $4,734 at York College. Hunter College stands out with a 47.86% acceptance rate and $33,565 in early career earnings. Lehman College graduates earn the highest at $38,289, while Queens College has the strongest graduation rate at 60.2%. The CUNY system offers consistent value with in-state tuition under $7,600 across all campuses.

Is University of Florida Online worth considering despite higher costs?

University of Florida Online charges $4,702 net but delivers a 77.7% graduation rate, far exceeding most schools on this list. The program costs about $2,000 more than the cheapest CUNY options but offers the flexibility of online learning. Early career earnings average $25,870, which is modest but reasonable given the low debt load of $14,491. The high graduation rate suggests strong student support systems that help anthropology majors complete their degrees.

Where do California State University anthropology graduates find work?

California's varied economy creates unique opportunities for anthropology majors beyond traditional academic or museum roles. The entertainment industry employs anthropologists for cultural consulting on films and television shows. Tech companies like those in Silicon Valley hire anthropologists for user experience research and product development. Cal State Fullerton graduates show stronger completion rates at 69.2%, while Cal State LA and Stanislaus both report early earnings of $25,194.

What explains the low graduation rates at Ohio University regional campuses?

Ohio University's Eastern and Southern campuses show graduation rates of just 20% and 19.3% respectively, significantly below the national average. These regional campuses serve rural, economically challenged areas where students often face financial pressures that force them to work while studying. The $25,000 average debt load suggests students struggle to balance educational costs with other financial obligations. The low completion rates highlight the challenges facing anthropology programs in underserved rural regions.

More Anthropology Rankings

Cheapest Anthropology Best Value Anthropology

Related

All Anthropology Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.