2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for anthropology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
For return on investment in anthropology, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $14,623 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $24,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,348 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $30,648 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,348 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #4 place for anthropology. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,493 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $26,858 early in their careers. Set against $26,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
A rank of #5 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,639. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $47,926. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $18,972. Anthropology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $28,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Chicago earned the #7 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for anthropology value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,650 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $16,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,650 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University earned the #10 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $22,608. Anthropology graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #11 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #12 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $16,562 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,476. That is a strong return on a $16,562 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #13 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $33,261. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Cleveland State University placed #14 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,709 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $14,647 early in their careers. Set against $21,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #15 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,775 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $19,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,834 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $28,172. Set against $22,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University earned the #17 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,350. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #18 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $28,084. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $28,617. Set against $28,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #19 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,333 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $25,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Central Michigan University came in at #20 for value in anthropology this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $25,264. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent placed #21 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,697 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $24,434. Set against $26,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $27,806. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,640. Students borrow a median of $25,936 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $32,382. Set against $25,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #24 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $19,891. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $69,494. Set against $19,891 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #25 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,292 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Anthropology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s anthropology value ranking:
Narrow Anthropology Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
