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2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

21 Ranked Colleges
117 Degrees Awarded
$33,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Anthropology is the 77th most popular major in the country with 12,008 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, anthropology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $24,661 and had an average of $23,289 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,274 anthropology graduates with average earnings and debt of $22,706 and $24,829 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 117 anthropology graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in anthropology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great anthropology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the anthropology program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree anthropology students.

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Anthropology in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 5 masters’s anthropology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree anthropology students list, Illinois State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Illinois State Anthropology Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s anthropology degrees to qualified students.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Anthropology Report

#3

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #3 spot on the list. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s anthropology degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

NIU also made our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northern Illinois University Anthropology Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 16 masters’s anthropology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree anthropology students list, UWM has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Anthropology at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#5

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 3 masters’s anthropology degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Anthropology at Purdue University - Main Campus

#9 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 2 masters’s anthropology degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Anthropology Report

#7

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Ball State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Ball State is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s anthropology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree anthropology students list, Ball State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Anthropology at Ball State

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 5 masters’s anthropology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kent State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Anthropology at Kent State

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 2 masters’s anthropology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also took the #14 spot in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Anthropology at UC

#13 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s anthropology students in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #13 spot in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Anthropology Report

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s anthropology students in 2019-2020.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013.

Read full report on Anthropology at IUPUI

#12

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#8 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #12. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 5 masters’s anthropology degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Anthropology at IU Bloomington

#13

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#20 in overall quality

Western Michigan University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. WMU is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s anthropology degrees to qualified students.

WMU also made our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Western Michigan University Anthropology Report

#14

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s anthropology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree anthropology students list, Michigan State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Michigan State University Anthropology Report

#10 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 4 masters’s anthropology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree anthropology students list, Ohio State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141.

Read full report on Anthropology at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#16

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

Wayne State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 11 masters’s anthropology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wayne State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Anthropology at Wayne State University

#17

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#4 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Anthropology at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#6 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Case Western is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 8 masters’s anthropology degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western also made our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western Reserve University are $47,958.

Full Case Western Anthropology Report

#19

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 4 masters’s anthropology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Anthropology at Notre Dame

#20

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Northwestern University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s anthropology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567.

Read full report on Anthropology at Northwestern University

#21

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

University of Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Anthropology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #21. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s anthropology degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Anthropology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Read full report on Anthropology at UChicago

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Deror avi.

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