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Cheapest Anthropology Colleges in Pennsylvania

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

Pennsylvania anthropology programs show dramatic cost variation, with Lincoln University charging $12,912 annually while Temple University graduates earn $36,308 six years after graduation. The state's public universities dominate the affordable end, with eight programs under $23,000 net cost. Students can leverage Pennsylvania's strong healthcare sector, where medical anthropologists work with systems like UPMC to understand patient behavior and cultural factors in treatment. Elite private colleges like Swarthmore ($18,686 net cost) and Haverford ($25,210) provide generous financial aid that makes them competitive with public options despite sticker prices exceeding $60,000. The earnings gap between Indiana University of Pennsylvania graduates ($18,771) and Temple graduates ($36,308) reflects different career paths and geographic factors. Pennsylvania's corporate headquarters including Comcast and pharmaceutical companies increasingly value anthropological insights for consumer research and organizational culture work.
26
Programs
$12,912 – $40,690
Net Price Range
$25,874
Avg. Program Earnings
72.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Anthropology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
2 $17,034 $14,630 39.6% 97.6%
3 $17,216 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
4 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
5 $19,258 $47,675 59.6% 75.2%
6 $20,231 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
7 $21,205 $11,230 54.1% 96.1%
8 $22,673 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
9 $23,331 $41,100 72.1% 73.4%
10 $25,210 $68,300 89.4% 14.2%
11 $25,866 $48,290 64.0% 77.6%
12 $26,539 $57,400 74.1% 76.7%
13 $27,263 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
14 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
15 $29,219 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
16 $30,074 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
17 $30,086 $64,230 82.7% 56.3%
18 $30,314 $60,240 80.2% 65.5%
19 $30,470 $53,638 63.5% 87.7%
20 $31,229 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
21 $32,191 $63,475 83.4% 34.9%
22 $33,549 $62,180 89.2% 37.0%
23 $38,428 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
24 $39,061 $68,380 86.0% 36.2%
25 $40,429 $64,772 86.2% 32.6%
26 $40,690 $62,560 85.6% 30.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Lincoln University the most affordable anthropology program in Pennsylvania?

Lincoln University charges just $12,912 in net costs annually, making it the cheapest anthropology program in Pennsylvania. The historically black public university maintains an 80.61% acceptance rate with a 52.10% graduation rate. Students benefit from small class sizes and research opportunities in African diaspora studies. The low cost reflects both state funding and the university's mission to provide accessible education.

How do Temple University graduates achieve the highest anthropology earnings in Pennsylvania?

Temple University anthropology graduates earn $36,308 six years after graduation, nearly double the state's lowest earners at $18,771. The Philadelphia location provides internship access with major employers like Comcast and area hospitals. Temple's applied anthropology focus prepares students for corporate consulting and healthcare roles. The $29,219 net cost delivers strong return on investment compared to other programs.

Is Swarthmore College actually affordable for anthropology students despite its $62,412 sticker price?

Swarthmore's generous financial aid reduces the net cost to $18,686, ranking it fourth among Pennsylvania anthropology programs. The college meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. With a 94.10% graduation rate and 6.93% acceptance rate, Swarthmore provides strong outcomes despite selectivity. The small liberal arts environment offers personalized attention from faculty researchers.

Does Pennsylvania offer good job prospects for anthropology graduates?

Pennsylvania's healthcare systems like UPMC increasingly hire medical anthropologists to improve patient care and cultural competency. The state's pharmaceutical industry employs anthropologists for drug development research and market analysis. Corporate anthropologists work with companies like Comcast to understand consumer behavior and workplace culture. Government agencies also recruit anthropologists for policy research and community development programs.

Where can students find the best balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology in Pennsylvania?

West Chester University offers strong value with $22,673 net costs and a 69.80% graduation rate among public options. Kutztown University provides similar affordability at $21,205 with competitive earnings of $29,685 for graduates. Private colleges like Saint Vincent College cost $23,331 but achieve 72.10% graduation rates. Students should consider both immediate costs and post-graduation earnings when comparing 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.