Best colleges for Anthropology in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Northwestern University, University of Illinois Chicago and Illinois State University are the top bachelor's Anthropology programs in Illinois by graduate earnings. Northwestern University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,208, College Scorecard. University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern University award the most Anthropology degrees in Illinois: 28, 26 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Illinois colleges offer Anthropology and award 223 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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…
Top 7 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,208 | 25 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 2 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,648 | 24 | 62% | — | $24,348 |
| 3 | Illinois State University Normal Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,913 | 23 | 65% | — | $25,333 |
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $16,197 | 26 | 85% | — | $21,650 |
| 5 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,977 | 18 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 6 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,379 | 15 | 57% | — | $25,000 |
| 7 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $18,950 | 11 | 68% | $28,141 | $26,533 |
Colleges awarding the most Anthropology degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 28 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 26 | $16,197 |
| 3 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 25 | $33,208 |
| 4 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | 24 | $30,648 |
| 5 | Illinois State University Normal Public | 23 | $25,913 |
| 6 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 18 | $26,977 |
| 7 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 8 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville Public | 15 | $23,379 |
| 9 | Western Illinois University Macomb Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 10 | Wheaton College Wheaton Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 Illinois colleges offering Anthropology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| DePaul University | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Southern Illinois University - Carbondale | Carbondale | Public | 6 |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | Public | 3 |
| North Central College | Naperville | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Anthropologists and Archeologists (SOC 19-3091).
Top skills
What Anthropologists and Archeologists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Anthropology programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Anthropology degrees?+
University of Chicago (28 graduates a year), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (26 graduates a year) and Northwestern University (25 graduates a year) award the most Anthropology degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Illinois colleges offer Anthropology.
What is the best college for Anthropology in Illinois?+
By graduate earnings, Northwestern University leads among bachelor's Anthropology programs in Illinois, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,208, College Scorecard. University of Illinois Chicago and Illinois State University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Chicago is the largest, with 28 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Anthropology program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Northwestern University tops the list at $33,208. Compare it against graduates a year, 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.
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