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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Anthropology Schools in the The Plains States Region

19 Colleges in the United States
300 Anthropology Degrees Awarded
$33,190 Avg Early-Career Salary

Anthropology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools to find the best for anthropology students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Anthropology in the The Plains States Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Anthropology

1

Our analysis ranked Washington University In St Louis the best school in the country for a degree in anthropology. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 39 anthropology degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $34,489 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. See the full anthropology program report for Washington University In St Louis

2

Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $31,219 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete this degree. Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,260. See the full anthropology program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

4

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in anthropology, ranking #4. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 34 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $31,926 in their early career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Missouri Columbia

5
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Iowa one of the top schools for anthropology. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $27,221 in their early career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,696 in student loans. More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Iowa

6
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College earned the #6 position for anthropology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Grinnell. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 anthropology degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $38,888 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,154. Read more about the anthropology program at Grinnell College

7

Washburn University came in at #7 for anthropology this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Washburn University graduates 44% of students within six years. Washburn University awarded about 11 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Washburn University earn around $50,955 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from Washburn University

8
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #8 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $29,376 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,875 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Kansas

9

Kansas State University landed the #9 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Kansas State University earn around $18,567 in the first couple years of their career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $22,686 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at Kansas State University

10

Iowa State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Iowa State University earn around $25,014 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $27,607 in student loans. Get the full anthropology details for Iowa State University

11

Missouri State University Springfield landed the #11 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 23 anthropology degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $27,283 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. Read more about the anthropology program at Missouri State University Springfield

12
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University came in at #12 for anthropology this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Hamline University awarded about 10 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $32,498 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in anthropology from Hamline University

13

Wichita State University came in at #13 for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Wichita State University awarded about 20 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $34,275. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in anthropology from Wichita State University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 33 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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