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2023 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Anthropology Degrees

By OnlineU Staff Writers | Updated 10/28/2022
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An online bachelor's in anthropology blends elements of social science, physical science, biology, archeology, and linguistics. In short, anthropology looks at humans' cultural and social behaviors throughout history and in the present. Students gather data and information, apply research techniques, and formulate hypotheses in order to better understand certain geographic areas around the world. Anthropology degrees also deploy elements of sociology degrees, both of which look at the social and cultural elements of life. 

Graduates will enter the workforce with well-rounded knowledge in the field, such as project management skills, and have a strong understanding of diverse cultures. Job opportunities can range from museum curator to forensics analyst, or even research associate. 

View our methodology for details about rankings or learn more about us. You can also check out our overall list of the most affordable online degrees for some inspiration.

Find an Online Degree:
All tuition numbers were manually collected and verified
Rank School Locations Annual Tuition
# 1 #1 University of Nevada at Las Vegas Las Vegas (NV) $2,859
# 2 #2 Wichita State University Wichita (KS) $6,843
# 3 #3 Western Illinois University Macomb (IL) $9,238
# 4 #4 Southern New Hampshire University Online Manchester (NH) $9,600
# 5 #5 Florida International University Miami (FL) $11,276
# 6 #6 Utah State University Logan (UT) $11,520
# 7 #7 Troy University Troy (AL) $11,640
# 8 #8 University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth North Dartmouth (MA) $11,760
# 9 #9 Washington State University Pullman (WA) $12,072
# 10 #10 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins (CO) $14,280
#1
#1
Annual Tuition: $2,859
Annual Tuition: $2,859
Annual Tuition: $2,859

The University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) is a public institution with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. The program requires 120 credit hours, and it's generally completed in four years on a full-time schedule.

At UNLV, students use REBELearn as their learning management system (LMS) for this fully online degree in anthropology. The program aims to provide students with an understanding of the biological, social, and cultural contexts of human behavior through the past and present. Core classes include History of Anthropology, Introduction to World Archaeology, and Language and Culture. Students must also complete a research project and senior thesis. Graduates may explore careers as librarians, authors, or geographers, to name a few.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 92%
  • Average SATs: 1030 -1250
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,117
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 494
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: NWCCU
#2
#2
Annual Tuition: $6,843
Annual Tuition: $6,843
Annual Tuition: $6,843

Wichita State University (WSU) is a public university offering a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology that requires 120 credit hours. Typically, this online program takes four years to complete on a full-time schedule.

WSU uses the LMS Blackboard for their online coursework. The curriculum explores all aspects of human action — including religion, economies, politics, art, and technology. Core classes include Biological Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, and Introduction to Archaeology. Students are required to complete a research project to graduate. Career opportunities are available in museums, law enforcement, and public health.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 89%
  • Average SATs: 1030 -1270
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 2,272
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 632
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: HLC
#3
#3
Annual Tuition: $9,238
Annual Tuition: $9,238
Annual Tuition: $9,238

Western Illinois University (WIU) is a public institution with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology requiring 120 credit hours. Most students complete this degree in four years on a full-time schedule.

WIU uses Desire2Learn to deliver coursework, which is all available online. This program takes a holistic approach to understanding human behavior through history, cultural analysis, and linguistics. Required classes include Cultural Anthropology, Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, and Language and Culture. A senior thesis is also required. Graduates will be eligible for careers in public administration, healthcare, and human rights advocacy.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 88%
  • Average SATs: 950 -1150
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 589
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 472
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: HLC
#4
#4
Annual Tuition: $9,600
Annual Tuition: $9,600
Annual Tuition: $9,600

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a nonprofit university with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. This online program requires 120 credits and is generally completed within four years if the student maintains a full-time pace.

At SNHU Online, students use Brightspace for their fully remote, asynchronous coursework. The goal of this program is to teach students how to analyze relationships and understand the human experience through cultural, biological, historical, and linguistic contexts. There is also an Environmental Sustainability concentration that utilizes the same lessons but through an environmental lens. Core classes include Human Origins and Evolution, Foundations in Archaeology, and Cultural Anthropology. A capstone project is also required before graduation. Careers options include historic preservationist, cultural resource manager, and researcher.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 77%
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 86,849
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 19,526
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: NECHE
#5
#5
Annual Tuition: $11,276
Annual Tuition: $11,276
Annual Tuition: $11,276

Florida International University (FIU) is a public university with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology - Global Studies requiring 120 credit hours. Students generally take four years to complete this degree on a full-time schedule.

Students at FIU Online use Canvas for their 100% remote program. The curriculum looks at the interconnectedness of society in an age of globalization through both theory and research lessons. Core classes include World Ethnographies, Sociological Theories, and Geography of Global Change. They also offer a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology - Global Studies, which covers similar themes. Graduates may go on to seek employment in social services, marketing, or nonprofit administration.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 90%
  • Average SATs: 1110 -1280
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 10,922
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 2,749
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: SACS COC
#6
#6
Annual Tuition: $11,520
Annual Tuition: $11,520
Annual Tuition: $11,520

Utah State University (USU) is a public institution hosting a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology. This degree requires 120 credit hours, which can take students four years to complete on a full-time schedule.

USU students use Canvas when pursuing their fully online degree programs. This particular program aims to provide students with an understanding of various cultures from around the world by way of interconnected societies. The program features core coursework such as Biological Anthropology, History and Theories of Anthropology, and Applied Anthropology Survey. Career opportunities may be found in business, law enforcement, and social services.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 86%
  • Average SATs: 1050 -1310
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 3,906
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 1,099
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: NWCCU
#7
#7

Troy University

Troy (AL)
Annual Tuition: $11,640
Annual Tuition: $11,640
Annual Tuition: $11,640

Troy University (TROY) is a public university with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology. This program requires 120 credit hours, which students can complete in four years if they maintain a full-time study schedule. This 100% online degree also has an option for an Accelerated Law Program, which allows students to earn their Juris Doctor degrees within six years.

TROY Online uses Canvas as their LMS, which delivers coursework and provides opportunities for networking with peers. Students explore both anthropological studies, such as linguistics and cultural anthropology, as well as practical archaeological methods. This is achieved through core classes, such as Cultural Anthropology, Introductory Statistics, and Language in Culture and Society. Graduates often go on to explore careers with private archaeological companies, museums, or government agencies.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 92%
  • Average SATs: 930 -1090
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 4,633
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 2,088
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: SACS COC
#8
#8
Annual Tuition: $11,760
Annual Tuition: $11,760
Annual Tuition: $11,760

The University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth) is a public university with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology — including an anthropology concentration — and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts - Sociology and Anthropology, which requires an additional concentration as well from a list of eight options. Each program requires 120 credit hours, which are generally completed in four years on a full-time schedule.

UMass Dartmouth students use myCourses to turn in their coursework, which is flexible and completely online. Both degrees look at various facets of society, such as gender roles, labor, health, and politics. Core classes include Cultural Anthropology, Sociological Thought, and Research Methods. Students are also required to complete a 3-credit internship. Graduates are eligible for careers in politics, education, law, and urban planning.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 98%
  • Average SATs: 990 -1190
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 695
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 502
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: NECHE
#9
#9
Annual Tuition: $12,072
Annual Tuition: $12,072
Annual Tuition: $12,072

Washington State University (WSU) is a public institution with a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. This program requires 120 credit hours. Students generally complete it in four years while studying full time.

At the virtual WSU Global Campus, students use Canvas for their coursework. The curriculum teaches a base knowledge of anthropology through concepts and practices, with specialization options in particular subfields. Core classes include Global Cultural Diversity, History of Anthropological Thought, and Integrative Themes in Anthropology. The university also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences - Anthropology and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities - Anthropology. Career options include work in government service, forensic anthropology, and museum curation.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 89%
  • Average SATs: 1020 -1230
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 2,437
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 1,137
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: NWCCU
#10
#10
Annual Tuition: $14,280
Annual Tuition: $14,280
Annual Tuition: $14,280

Colorado State University - Fort Collins (CSU) features a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology requiring 120 credit hours. Generally, this program is completed in four years while studying full time.

CSU online students study through the LMS, Canvas. Courses are online; additionally, there are options to complete in-person field work. This program explores past and present societies and how to better understand their behavior through theory, research, and data. Some core classes include History of Anthropological Thought, Quantifying Anthropology, and Human Evolution. Students are also required to complete a 3-credit capstone project. Graduates may enter careers in health services, education, and museum curation.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 79%
  • Average SATs: 1070 -1290
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,253
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 2,492
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: HLC

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