Best Value Anthropology Colleges in Texas

Rice University stands out among Texas anthropology programs with a 95.70% graduation rate despite charging $58,128 in tuition, while public options like UT Rio Grande Valley offer net costs as low as $6,500. The earnings gap tells an equally compelling story, ranging from $19,045 to $34,603 annually. University of Houston graduates earn the highest median salary at $34,603, making it a strong return on investment at $13,853 net cost. Texas anthropology graduates find opportunities in the state's massive healthcare sector, particularly within Houston's Texas Medical Center, where cultural competency and research skills prove valuable in patient care and community health programs. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with eight schools offering net costs under $17,000. Private institutions like Baylor and SMU command higher prices but deliver graduation rates above 80%, though their anthropology graduates don't necessarily earn proportionally higher salaries in the Texas job market.

Programs

$1,113 – $41,942

Net Price Range

$24,497

Avg. Program Earnings

68.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Anthropology Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, Texas	$6,500	$21,508	$9,859	49.3%	87.7%
2	University of Houston Houston, Texas	$13,853	$34,603	$9,711	64.9%	66.2%
3	The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas	$11,234	$22,534	$8,991	51.2%	86.9%
4	The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, Texas	$10,726	$19,045	$9,744	45.9%	99.9%
5	University of North Texas Denton, Texas	$14,352	$23,207	$11,164	59.6%	79.1%
6	Texas State University San Marcos, Texas	$16,438	$25,525	$11,450	56.2%	87.7%
7	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$27,048	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%
8	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924	$23,649	$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
9	Baylor University Waco, Texas	$41,942	$23,351	$54,844	80.2%	45.9%
10	Southwestern University Georgetown, Texas	$27,468		$51,058	69.3%	44.8%
11	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	$41,778		$64,460	83.3%	52.3%
12	The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas	$15,235		$11,728	56.5%	80.8%
13	Rice University Houston, Texas	$12,640		$58,128	95.7%	8.7%
14	University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, Texas	$11,056		$7,746	50.9%	69.4%
15	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas	$33,531		$57,220	85.6%	56.1%
16	Austin College Sherman, Texas	$23,451		$46,500	69.5%	54.4%
17	Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas	$20,071		$11,852	67.5%	67.3%
18	Trinity University San Antonio, Texas	$23,650		$51,352	81.9%	30.5%
19	Texas A&M University-Central Texas Killeen, Texas	$1,113		$6,627		95.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Houston the top earner for anthropology graduates in Texas?

Houston anthropology graduates earn a median salary of $34,603, significantly higher than the state average of $24,000. The university's location in Houston provides access to the Texas Medical Center, oil and gas companies, and international businesses that value cultural analysis skills. With a net cost of $13,853 and 64.90% graduation rate, it offers strong return on investment. The city's varied population and global connections create abundant internship and career opportunities for anthropology students.

How do public versus private anthropology programs compare for value in Texas?

Public universities offer dramatically better value, with net costs ranging from $6,500 to $20,924 compared to private schools at $27,468 to $41,942. UT Rio Grande Valley provides the lowest net cost at $6,500, while private institutions like Baylor charge $41,942 for similar earning potential. Public school graduates earn between $19,045 and $34,603, matching or exceeding private school outcomes. The graduation rate advantage at private schools doesn't translate to proportionally higher salaries in anthropology fields.

Does UT Austin justify its higher cost among public anthropology programs?

UT Austin charges a $19,678 net cost, nearly triple UT Rio Grande Valley's $6,500, but delivers an strong 87.60% graduation rate. Graduates earn $27,048 annually, placing it in the middle range for Texas anthropology programs. The university's research opportunities and Austin's tech industry provide unique career paths beyond traditional anthropology roles. However, schools like University of Houston offer better earning potential at lower cost, making UT Austin's premium debatable purely on financial returns.

Where do Texas anthropology graduates find the best career opportunities?

Houston leads employment prospects with the Texas Medical Center offering roles in patient advocacy, community health, and medical research requiring cultural expertise. The energy sector in Houston and Dallas values anthropologists for international business and community relations work. Austin's growing tech industry increasingly seeks anthropologists for user experience research and product development roles. State government positions in social services, education, and cultural preservation provide stable career paths across major Texas cities.

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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.