2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Michigan

[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology students.
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2027 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $14,623 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $24,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,493 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $26,858. Set against $26,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. 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. The acceptance rate is 83%.
A rank of #5 makes Central Michigan University one of the best values for anthropology. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $25,264 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #6 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $28,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $28,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
More Anthropology Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.