by our College Data Analytics Team
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in anthropology, no school beat Wichita State University this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $25,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $34,275. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #2 place for anthropology. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $31,219 early in their careers. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $46,054. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Grinnell College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,196. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $17,154. Anthropology graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $38,888 early in their careers. Set against $17,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $27,283. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #7 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,260 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. That is a strong return on a $21,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Kansas landed the #8 spot for anthropology value this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $29,875 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $29,376 early in their careers. Set against $29,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $31,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of South Dakota earned the #10 position for value in anthropology this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,322 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $51,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #11 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $15,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $34,489. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Iowa placed #12 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,696 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $27,221. That is a strong return on a $25,696 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Creighton University placed #13 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $64,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.