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Best Value Anthropology Colleges in California

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills delivers the state's most affordable anthropology education at just $3,659 net cost while producing graduates earning $33,281 annually. This combination creates an unusual value proposition where the lowest-cost program generates among the highest early career salaries. The 20 California programs span a remarkable cost range from under $4,000 to over $16,000, yet earnings vary by only $12,000 across all schools. California's entertainment industry, archaeological consulting firms, and tech companies increasingly value anthropological perspectives for user research and cultural analysis. Museums like the Getty Center and research institutions across the state provide internship pathways. The Cal Grant system particularly benefits anthropology students since many programs fall within the tuition coverage threshold, making schools like CSU-LA accessible at $4,113 net cost despite being in expensive Los Angeles.
46
Programs
$3,659 – $50,959
Net Price Range
$26,677
Avg. Program Earnings
68.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

46 Anthropology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $33,281 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $25,194 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,671 $25,194 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
4 $6,480 $21,508 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
5 $7,599 $25,194 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
6 $10,512 $32,498 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
7 $8,931 $26,037 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
8 $12,882 $31,762 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
9 $14,013 $30,520 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
10 $11,580 $24,615 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
11 $11,750 $24,421 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
12 $12,744 $26,353 $14,167 69.1% 89.5%
13 $13,801 $28,381 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
14 $12,840 $25,967 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
15 $13,825 $27,639 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
16 $15,288 $30,277 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
17 $14,979 $28,598 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
18 $13,707 $23,571 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
19 $16,607 $27,667 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
20 $13,167 $21,166 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
21 $14,838 $20,140 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
22 $25,321 $33,459 $13,160 8.8%
23 $16,174 $20,140 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
24 $38,802 $63,434 87.1% 27.9%
25 $47,527 $62,784 80.4% 72.5%
26 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
27 $31,198 $56,134 69.0% 87.9%
28 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
29 $19,761 $39,950 55.9% 74.8%
30 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
31 $32,926 $51,790 70.1% 82.0%
32 $29,871 $49,864 63.4% 75.5%
33 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
34 $50,959 $59,241 88.5% 52.1%
35 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
36 $31,265 $56,444 81.6% 52.6%
37 $19,424 $62,326 93.2% 7.0%
38 $31,663 $62,692 83.2% 18.4%
39 $26,925 $47,000 65.4% 73.5%
40 $27,384 $64,150 95.2% 10.4%
41 $28,101 $46,704 68.8% 56.6%
42 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
43 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
44 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
45 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
46 $27,384 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CSU-Dominguez Hills such strong value for anthropology students?

CSU-Dominguez Hills combines the lowest net cost at $3,659 with the highest graduate earnings at $33,281, creating an strong return on investment. The school maintains an 89% acceptance rate, making admission accessible. Its location in Carson provides proximity to Los Angeles cultural institutions and research opportunities while keeping costs manageable.

How do UC schools compare to Cal State schools for anthropology value?

UC schools like UCLA and UCSD cost around $12,000-14,000 net but offer higher graduation rates of 87-93% compared to most Cal State schools at 50-70%. However, several Cal State programs produce similar earnings at half the cost. UC schools provide more research opportunities, while Cal State focuses on practical application and local job placement.

Is the graduation rate difference significant enough to affect school choice?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 47% at CSU-Dominguez Hills to 93% at UCLA, but earnings don't always correlate with completion rates. CSU-Long Beach achieves a 70% graduation rate at $8,931 cost while maintaining strong employment outcomes. Students should weigh their academic preparation against the support systems each school provides.

Does location within California significantly impact anthropology job prospects?

Yes, proximity to major metropolitan areas affects internship and job opportunities substantially. Los Angeles and San Francisco area schools provide access to museums, consulting firms, and tech companies using anthropological research. However, Central Valley schools like CSU-Stanislaus at $5,671 offer lower living costs that can offset reduced local opportunities.

Where do anthropology graduates typically find employment in California?

California anthropology graduates work in cultural resource management for development projects, user experience research at tech companies, and educational institutions. The state's 280 museums and numerous archaeological sites create steady demand. Silicon Valley companies increasingly hire anthropologists for product design and market research, explaining the $25,000-33,000 early career salary range across programs.

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