2026 Best Value Other Anthropology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Other Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/anthropology-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for other anthropology students.
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2026 Best Value Other Anthropology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Other Anthropology Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among other anthropology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for other anthropology graduates is $14,623. Other Anthropology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $24,079 early in their careers. Set against $14,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,834 to complete the other anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, other anthropology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $28,172. That is a strong return on a $22,834 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois State University earned it the #3 place for other anthropology. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Other Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,333 in student loans. Other Anthropology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Set against $25,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned it the #4 place for other anthropology. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $26,004 to complete the other anthropology program here. Other Anthropology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Northwestern University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other anthropology schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for other anthropology graduates is $16,616. Other Anthropology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.