Illinois · Anthropology

Best institutions to study Anthropology in Illinois

The Anthropology program offers an in-depth exploration of humanity through the lenses of biology and sociology. Students will study human behavior, cultures, societies, and linguistics, both in contemporary contexts and throughout…

Institutions
14
offering CIP 45.02
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
223
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median grad earnings
$25,913
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
7
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,461
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
66%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Anthropologists and Archeologists
$65,610
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 7 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Northwestern University
Evanston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$33,2082595%$14,799
2University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree
$30,6482462%$24,348
3Loyola University Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$26,9771873%$33,454
4Illinois State University
Normal Public · Bachelor's degree
$25,9132365%$25,333
5Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville Public · Bachelor's degree
$23,3791557%$25,000
6DePaul University
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$18,9501168%$28,141$26,533
7University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign
Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree
$16,1972685%$21,650

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Anthropologists and Archeologists (SOC 19-3091).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.7%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~800
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$64,910
typically Master's degree

Top skills

WritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionActive Learning

What Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
140
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$65,610
median $59,560
Best-paying metro
$65,690
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Related careers

Forensic Science Technicians
$108,760 avg · 370 jobs
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$96,650 avg · 220 jobs
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
$86,340 avg · 180 jobs
Anthropologists and Archeologists
$65,610 avg · 140 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Anthropology programs in Illinois.

Which Anthropology program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Northwestern University tops the list at $33,208. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Anthropologists and Archeologists in Illinois is $65,610 (median $59,560), across about 140 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Anthropology program?+

The Anthropology program offers an in-depth exploration of humanity through the lenses of biology and sociology. Students will study human behavior, cultures, societies, and linguistics, both in contemporary contexts and throughout…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop writing, speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Anthropologists and Archeologists?+

The national job outlook is about +3.7% growth with around 800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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