2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Illinois

[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment 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
For return on investment in anthropology, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $30,648. Set against $24,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at University Of Chicago, which ranked #3. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $15,854. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for anthropology. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,650 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $16,197. That is a strong return on a $21,650 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $23,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $25,333 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $25,913. That is a strong return on a $25,333 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #7 spot for anthropology value this year. 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. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University came in at #8 for value in anthropology this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $16,616. Anthropology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $33,208 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #9 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago placed #10 among the best values for anthropology. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $26,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
More Anthropology Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 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.