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Cheapest Anthropology Colleges in California

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills delivers the most affordable anthropology education in California at just $3,659 net cost while producing graduates earning $33,281 annually. This stands out dramatically against the state's highest program costs reaching $13,167, creating a nearly four-fold price difference across public institutions. The earnings advantage matters particularly in California's job market, where anthropologists find opportunities with tech companies studying user behavior, museums documenting the state's cultural heritage, and research institutions examining the social impacts of Silicon Valley's rapid growth. The 20 programs span from highly selective UC San Diego with its 23.71% acceptance rate to more accessible options like CSU-Stanislaus accepting 96.61% of applicants. California's Cal Grant program helps qualifying students cover tuition costs, making these already affordable options even more accessible for in-state residents pursuing anthropological studies in America's most populous state.
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 In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
6 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
7 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
8 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
9 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
10 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
11 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
12 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
13 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
14 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
15 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
16 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
17 $12,744 $14,167 69.1% 89.5%
18 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
19 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
20 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
21 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
22 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
23 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
24 $13,825 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
25 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
26 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
27 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
28 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
29 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
30 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
31 $19,424 $62,326 93.2% 7.0%
32 $19,761 $39,950 55.9% 74.8%
33 $25,321 $13,160 8.8%
34 $26,925 $47,000 65.4% 73.5%
35 $27,384 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
36 $27,384 $64,150 95.2% 10.4%
37 $28,101 $46,704 68.8% 56.6%
38 $29,871 $49,864 63.4% 75.5%
39 $31,198 $56,134 69.0% 87.9%
40 $31,265 $56,444 81.6% 52.6%
41 $31,663 $62,692 83.2% 18.4%
42 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
43 $32,926 $51,790 70.1% 82.0%
44 $38,802 $63,434 87.1% 27.9%
45 $47,527 $62,784 80.4% 72.5%
46 $50,959 $59,241 88.5% 52.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CSU-Dominguez Hills the cheapest anthropology program in California?

CSU-Dominguez Hills offers the lowest net cost at $3,659 for anthropology students, significantly below the state average. The school maintains an 89.13% acceptance rate while producing graduates who earn $33,281 annually, the highest among the most affordable programs. This combination of low cost and strong earning potential creates strong value for students entering the field.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable anthropology programs?

Graduation rates range from 45.50% at CSU-East Bay to 87.60% at UC San Diego among these programs. CSU-Fullerton and CSU-Long Beach both achieve nearly 70% graduation rates despite their affordable pricing. The data shows that lower cost doesn't necessarily correlate with lower completion rates, as several CSU campuses maintain solid academic outcomes.

Does attending a more expensive program guarantee higher earnings?

The data reveals mixed results regarding cost and earnings correlation. CSU-Dominguez Hills graduates earn $33,281 despite the lowest program cost, while UC San Diego graduates earn $24,421 at nearly triple the expense. CSU-Sacramento shows strong earnings at $32,498 with moderate costs, suggesting program value varies significantly across institutions.

Where can anthropology students find the most competitive admission standards?

UC San Diego represents the most selective option with only 23.71% of applicants accepted, followed by CSU-Long Beach at 39.95%. Cal Poly Pomona maintains moderate selectivity at 55.38% acceptance. Most CSU campuses accept over 85% of applicants, providing accessible entry points for students interested in anthropological studies.

What debt levels should students expect from these programs?

Student debt varies from $9,500 at Cal Poly Pomona to $19,375 at CSU-Channel Islands among reporting schools. CSU-San Bernardino shows relatively low debt at $12,700, while CSU-Los Angeles graduates carry $14,199 in loans. These figures remain below national averages, reflecting California's public education affordability and state financial aid 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.