2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Indiana

[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for anthropology students.
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2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the anthropology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Anthropology Schools
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #1 spot for value among anthropology schools in Indiana. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $18,500. Anthropology graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $47,216. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. Roughly 96% 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. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. 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. That is a strong return on a $18,972 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,562 to complete the anthropology program here. 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.
Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,352 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $24,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #6 for value in anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $19,891 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,494. Set against $19,891 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.