2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Youngstown State University earned the #1 spot for value among anthropology schools in Ohio. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,373 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $22,834 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $28,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kent State University At Kent earned it the #4 place for anthropology. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,697 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $24,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for anthropology. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $27,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $26,004 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $58,659. That is a strong return on a $26,004 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford came in at #7 for value in anthropology this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Students borrow a median of $26,943 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $34,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Kenyon College earned the #8 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,520. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $37,976. That is a strong return on a $18,114 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Case Western Reserve University earned the #9 position for value in anthropology this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $26,000. Anthropology graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong anthropology education at a price that pays off.
