2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/anthropology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for anthropology students.
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2026 Best Value Anthropology Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Washburn University earned the #1 spot for value among anthropology schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $21,175. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.
Wichita State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $34,275. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value anthropology schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $31,219. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grinnell College earned it the #4 place for anthropology. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,196. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a great value for students pursuing a degree in anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $21,260 to complete the anthropology program here. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $49,755. That is a strong return on a $21,260 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas placed #6 among the best values for anthropology. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $29,875. Anthropology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $29,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,875 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #7 for value in anthropology this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #8 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $22,686 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $18,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #9 position for value in anthropology this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,607 in student loans. Early-career anthropology graduates make about $25,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #10 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Hamline University came in at #11 for value in anthropology this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $27,000. Anthropology graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $32,498 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa landed the #12 spot for anthropology value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for anthropology graduates is $25,696. Anthropology graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $27,221 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,696 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #13 for value in anthropology this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $34,489. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University placed #14 among the best values for anthropology. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Anthropology graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $64,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
