2027 Best Value African Studies Schools
[African Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/african-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for african studies students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value African Studies School for You
The african studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value African Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value African Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value African Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the african studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value African Studies Schools
California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among african studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the african studies program here. African Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. African Studies graduates carry a median of $17,746 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $23,819. Set against $17,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in african studies will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $16,984 to complete the african studies program here. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $32,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Bowdoin College one of the best values for african studies. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. African Studies graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career african studies graduates make about $45,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #6 among the best values for african studies. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the african studies program here. Early-career african studies graduates make about $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for african studies value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $21,710. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $21,710 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for value in african studies this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,050 to complete the african studies program here. Early-career african studies graduates make about $24,332. That is a strong return on a $22,050 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #9 among the best values for african studies. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the african studies program here. African Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $38,008 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Kennesaw State University placed #10 among the best values for african studies. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. African Studies graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Early-career african studies graduates make about $53,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #11 among the best values for african studies. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $20,850. African Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for african studies value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. African Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #13 spot for african studies value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. African Studies graduates carry a median of $22,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $41,903. Set against $22,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Yale University earned the #14 position for value in african studies this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. African Studies graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $55,618. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Brown University placed #15 among the best values for african studies. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $39,165. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #16 for value in african studies this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $27,000. African Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $19,426 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Duke University landed the #17 spot for african studies value this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. African Studies graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. African Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Barnard College came in at #18 for value in african studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $19,000. African Studies graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $34,142 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #19 for value in african studies this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the african studies program here. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Middlebury College landed the #20 spot for african studies value this year. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,600. Students borrow a median of $11,593 to complete the african studies program here. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $40,467. That is a strong return on a $11,593 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Trinity College earned the #21 position for value in african studies this year. Set in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,770. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete the african studies program here. African Studies graduates of Trinity College earn a median of $52,927 early in their careers. Set against $23,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Connecticut College came in at #22 for value in african studies this year. Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New London. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,242. Students borrow a median of $21,220 to complete the african studies program here. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Connecticut College generally make around $43,358. Set against $21,220 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Connecticut College admits about 37% of applicants.
Dickinson College came in at #23 for value in african studies this year. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. In-state tuition and fees average $65,650. Students borrow a median of $19,802 to complete the african studies program here. African Studies graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $32,722 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Syracuse University landed the #24 spot for african studies value this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the african studies program here. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
