2027 Best Anthropology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Anthropology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for anthropology students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Anthropology in the The Plains States Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Anthropology
Our analysis ranked Washington University In St Louis the best school in the country for a degree in anthropology. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 50 anthropology degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $34,489 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Read more about the anthropology program at Washington University In St Louis
Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 48 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $31,219 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375.
Get the full anthropology details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Missouri Columbia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $31,926 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Iowa came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $27,221. Students borrow a median of $25,696 to complete this degree.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of Iowa
Grinnell College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Grinnell College awarded about 12 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $38,888 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at Grinnell College
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #6 position for anthropology this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 31 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $49,755 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,260.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Kansas earned the #7 position for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 24 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of Kansas earn around $29,376 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,875 to complete this degree.
Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Kansas
University Of South Dakota placed #8 among the best anthropology schools. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Dakota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $51,566 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete this degree.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of South Dakota
Missouri State University Springfield placed #9 among the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $27,283 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full anthropology details for Missouri State University Springfield
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #10 for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete this degree.
See the full anthropology program report for University Of Northern Iowa
Wichita State University came in at #11 for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Wichita State University graduates 51% of students within six years. Wichita State University awarded about 24 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Wichita State University earn around $34,275 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in anthropology from Wichita State University
University Of Central Missouri earned the #12 position for anthropology this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Central Missouri
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 schools evaluated.
- 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.