The Anthropology Museum houses over 100,000 osteological, archaeological, and ethnographic specimens and objects. The ethnographic collection has regional strengths in Southeast Asia, New Guinea, as well as the plains and southwest regions of North America. Ethnographic specimens from Africa, Mesoamerica, and South America are also represented.

The osteological collection, which numbers over 50,000 specimens, concentrates on examples of non-human primates, human specimens illustrating both normal and abnormal development, and paleontological casts.

The museum also maintains a large archaeological research collection of artifacts from Illinois and the surrounding states. Over the years the collection has grown with contributions from the Anthropology faculty, faculty in other departments of the university, and members of the surrounding communities.

The museum serves university students through museum courses and hands-on experience with all phases of museum work. It also serves the public through active in-house and outreach educational programs. The museum facilities include an exhibit area open to the public five days a week, artifact storage areas, and a workshop for exhibit preparation.