2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis tops our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $18,500. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in anthropology will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $24,348. 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.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $18,972 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $28,587 early in their careers. Set against $18,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Youngstown State University placed #6 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $16,197. That is a strong return on a $21,650 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #8 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,653. Anthropology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #9 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $16,562 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $26,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,562 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #10 among the best values for anthropology. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,493 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $26,858. That is a strong return on a $26,493 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #11 spot for anthropology value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $19,775 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $19,775 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ball State University placed #12 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,352 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $24,452. Set against $23,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #13 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $25,000. Anthropology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #14 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $33,261. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #15 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $15,854. Anthropology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,834 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $28,172. That is a strong return on a $22,834 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University earned the #17 position for value in anthropology this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Anthropology graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $27,350 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Toledo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $24,923. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #19 spot for anthropology value this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,000. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $47,887. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Northern Michigan University earned the #20 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $40,508. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University came in at #21 for value in anthropology this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #22 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $22,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #23 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,084 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $28,617. Set against $28,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #24 for value in anthropology this year. 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. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $26,697. Anthropology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $24,434 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,697 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in anthropology this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $27,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Anthropology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s anthropology value ranking:
Narrow Anthropology Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong anthropology education at a price that pays off.
