Best Value Anthropology Colleges in Colorado

Colorado's anthropology programs show a dramatic cost spread, with Metropolitan State University of Denver offering degrees for $14,294 annually while University of Denver costs $36,037. The earnings gap is narrower, ranging from $22,329 to $34,420, suggesting strong return on investment at public institutions. Colorado's tech and aerospace industries increasingly value anthropological research for user experience design and cultural analysis, with companies like Ball Aerospace incorporating ethnographic methods into their workforce development. The state's 11 programs serve different student populations, from Fort Lewis College's 90.98% acceptance rate to Colorado College's selective 16.30% admission standard.

Programs

$14,294 – $36,037

Net Price Range

$26,758

Avg. Program Earnings

57.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Anthropology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$14,294	$28,816	$10,780	29.9%	97.9%
2	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, Colorado	$19,133	$34,420	$10,017	47.4%	74.6%
3	Fort Lewis College Durango, Colorado	$17,339	$25,194	$9,670	43.1%	91.0%
4	University of Northern Colorado Greeley, Colorado	$18,457	$25,194	$12,010	51.3%	78.5%
5	University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, Colorado	$16,431	$22,329	$9,712	45.3%	84.8%
6	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, Colorado	$20,332	$26,739	$12,896	66.9%	90.8%
7	University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado	$21,480	$24,615	$16,430	75.0%	80.7%
8	Colorado College Colorado Springs, Colorado	$31,678		$67,932	86.0%	16.3%
9	University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$36,037		$59,340	78.0%	77.7%
10	Regis University Denver, Colorado	$22,689		$43,980	61.1%	76.1%
11	Western Colorado University Gunnison, Colorado	$16,773		$11,083	50.7%	91.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Metropolitan State University of Denver such good value for anthropology?

Metro State charges just $14,294 net price while graduates earn $28,816 annually, creating one of the strongest cost-to-earnings ratios in Colorado. The school accepts 97.91% of applicants, making it accessible for students seeking affordable anthropology education in Denver's job market.

How do graduation rates compare between public and private anthropology programs?

Private schools lead with Colorado College at 86% and University of Denver at 78% graduation rates. Public institutions range from 29.90% at Metro State to 75% at CU Boulder, with Colorado State hitting 66.90%.

Is University of Colorado Denver worth the higher cost than other public options?

UC Denver costs $19,133 but produces the highest-earning graduates at $34,420 annually. The 47.40% graduation rate and $24,116 average debt load suggest solid returns, especially given Denver's growing tech sector demand for cultural researchers.

Where can students find the lowest debt loads for anthropology degrees?

Fort Lewis College graduates carry just $18,013 in average debt, followed closely by CU Boulder at $18,583. Both schools offer strong value propositions with Fort Lewis charging $17,339 net and Boulder providing flagship university resources for $21,480.

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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.