2026 Best Value Labor Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Labor Studies](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/human-resource-management/labor-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for labor studies students.
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2026 Best Value Labor Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in labor studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Labor Studies Schools
Leading the list is Florida International University, our #1 best value for labor studies in the United States. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Labor Studies graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Labor Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $60,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Michigan State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value labor studies schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for labor studies graduates is $23,475. Soon after graduation, labor studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $99,526. That is a strong return on a $23,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned it the #3 place for labor studies. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the labor studies program here. Early-career labor studies graduates make about $72,222. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the best values for labor studies. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for labor studies graduates is $25,234. Labor Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Other Labor Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Labor Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Labor Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
