2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Illinois
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/anthropology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong anthropology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology students.
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2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in anthropology in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $24,348 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $30,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #2 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for anthropology. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for anthropology. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,650. Anthropology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $16,197 early in their careers. Set against $21,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $23,379 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $25,333 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $25,913 early in their careers. Set against $25,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #7 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. That is a strong return on a $23,292 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University landed the #8 spot for anthropology value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $33,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $18,950. Set against $26,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $26,977. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
More Anthropology Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
