Best Value Anthropology Colleges in Tennessee

Tennessee anthropology programs show a remarkable $17,753 earnings gap between top and bottom performers, with Rhodes College graduates earning $37,208 compared to University of Memphis graduates at $19,455. The state's healthcare industry, anchored by HCA Healthcare, creates opportunities for medical anthropologists studying patient care and health disparities. Middle Tennessee State offers the lowest net cost at $12,599, while private schools like Vanderbilt provide substantial aid despite high sticker prices.

Programs

$12,599 – $27,498

Net Price Range

$26,095

Avg. Program Earnings

68.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Anthropology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$22,192	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
2	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$29,467	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
3	Rhodes College Memphis, Tennessee	$25,060	$37,208	$54,892	81.6%	53.9%
4	University of Memphis Memphis, Tennessee	$13,253	$19,455	$10,344	49.4%	94.6%
5	East Tennessee State University Johnson City, Tennessee	$15,794	$21,508	$9,950	49.9%	85.3%
6	Lee University Cleveland, Tennessee	$20,399	$26,739	$22,690	60.7%	72.6%
7	The University of the South Sewanee, Tennessee	$27,498		$53,698	82.4%	52.3%
8	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$19,040		$63,946	92.7%	6.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide earnings gap between Tennessee anthropology programs?

Rhodes College graduates earn nearly double that of University of Memphis graduates ($37,208 vs $19,455), largely reflecting alumni networks and career placement services. Private institutions like Rhodes and Vanderbilt typically have stronger connections to research positions and graduate school placements that boost long-term earnings.

How do public university costs compare for Tennessee anthropology students?

Public options range from Middle Tennessee State's $12,599 net cost to UT-Knoxville's $18,109, a difference of $5,510 annually. Tennessee residents benefit from relatively low in-state tuition, with MTSU charging just $9,506 compared to UT-Knoxville's $13,484.

Is Vanderbilt worth the cost for anthropology majors despite high selectivity?

Vanderbilt accepts only 6.67% of applicants but offers generous aid, bringing net costs to $19,040 for qualifying students. The university's 92.70% graduation rate significantly exceeds other Tennessee options, though earnings data wasn't available for comparison.

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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.