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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Anthropology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

36 Colleges in the United States
863 Anthropology Degrees Awarded
$38,855 Avg Early-Career Salary

Anthropology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. 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 78 schools to find the best for anthropology students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Anthropology in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall anthropology education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Anthropology

1

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for anthropology. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 37 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $81,002 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Chicago

2

A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for anthropology. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 23 anthropology degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $33,208 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full anthropology program report for Northwestern University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for anthropology. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 40 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,775 to complete this degree. Get the full anthropology details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $24,079. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $14,623 in student loans. More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at University Of Notre Dame, which ranked #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 19 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,494 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete this degree. See the full anthropology program report for University Of Notre Dame

6
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for anthropology this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 34 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $28,587 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,972 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at Purdue University Main Campus

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 47 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $16,197 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,650 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for anthropology this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 75 anthropology degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $28,172 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,834. Get the full anthropology details for Ohio State University Main Campus

9

Case Western Reserve University came in at #9 for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full anthropology program report for Case Western Reserve University

10

Miami University Oxford ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 16 anthropology degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Anthropology graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $34,701 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,943. Read more about the anthropology program at Miami University Oxford

11
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College placed #11 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Kenyon College awarded about 14 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $37,976 early in their careers. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Get the full anthropology details for Kenyon College

12

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Indianapolis. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates 54% of students within six years. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 13 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. Read more about the anthropology program at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

13

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 38 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $26,476 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,562 to complete this degree. See the full anthropology program report for Indiana University Bloomington

14

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #14 for anthropology this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 21 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $58,659 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,004. Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

15
Lawrence University crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University placed #15 among the best anthropology schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Appleton. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lawrence University awarded about 10 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $15,699. Get the full anthropology details for Lawrence University

16

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #16 spot for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 32 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $30,648 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,348 in student loans. More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Illinois At Chicago

17
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 31 anthropology degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $28,617. Typical student debt for the program is $28,084. More information about a degree in anthropology from Michigan State University

18

Loyola University Chicago ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $26,977 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. See the full anthropology program report for Loyola University Chicago

19

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #19 spot for anthropology this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 23 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $50,590 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $21,653 in student loans. Get the full anthropology details for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

20

University Of Southern Indiana landed the #20 spot for anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. University Of Southern Indiana awarded about 10 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete this degree. Read more about the anthropology program at University Of Southern Indiana

21

Illinois State University earned the #21 position for anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $25,913 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $25,333 in student loans. Read more about the anthropology program at Illinois State University

22

Ball State University landed the #22 spot for anthropology this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. About 62% of students finish within six years. Ball State University awarded about 14 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $24,452. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $23,352 in student loans. More information about a degree in anthropology from Ball State University

23
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $18,950 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,533 to complete this degree. Get the full anthropology details for Depaul University

24

Grand Valley State University placed #24 among the best anthropology schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Grand Valley State University awarded about 16 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from Grand Valley State University earn around $27,350 in the first couple years of their career. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full anthropology details for Grand Valley State University

25

Wayne State University landed the #25 spot for anthropology this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wayne State University awarded about 39 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Anthropology graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $26,858 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,493. More information about a degree in anthropology from Wayne State University

Rest of the Top 34 Anthropology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong anthropology education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34

Narrow Anthropology Schools by State

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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 · 78 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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