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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

20 Colleges in the United States
381 Anthropology Degrees Awarded
$35,417 Avg Early-Career Salary

Anthropology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their anthropology programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 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

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall anthropology education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Anthropology

1

Leading the list is Washington University In St Louis, our #1 school for anthropology. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 85 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. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. See the full anthropology program report for Washington University In St Louis

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in anthropology, ranking #2. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. About 39 anthropology degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent 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. See the full anthropology program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

Students looking for a strong anthropology program will find one at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 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. Students borrow a median of $21,260 to complete this degree. Get the full anthropology details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for anthropology. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their anthropology degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $31,926 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree. See the full anthropology program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

5

Creighton University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in anthropology, ranking #5. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 13 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Creighton University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $64,369 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete this degree. See the full anthropology program report for Creighton University

6
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Iowa awarded about 18 anthropology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $27,221 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,696. See the full anthropology program report for University Of Iowa

7
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. Typical student debt for the program is $17,154. Read more about the anthropology program at Grinnell College

8

Washburn University earned the #8 position for anthropology this year. This moderately-sized public university is 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. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete this degree. See the full anthropology program report for Washburn University

9
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #9 for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $29,376 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,875 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from University Of Kansas

10

Kansas State University landed the #10 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. Anthropology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $18,567 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,686. See the full anthropology program report for Kansas State University

11

Iowa State University came in at #11 for anthropology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 20 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the anthropology program make about $25,014 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,607. Read more about the anthropology program at Iowa State University

12

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #12 position for anthropology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 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. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in anthropology from Missouri State University Springfield

13
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 10 anthropology degrees were awarded at Hamline University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, anthropology degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $32,498. Hamline University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full anthropology details for Hamline University

14

Wichita State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best anthropology schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 anthropology students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University 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 ranking is produced 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 · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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