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2027 Best Value African Studies Master’s Degree Schools

11 Colleges in the United States
$17,983 Avg Student Debt
$84,516 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value African Studies Master's Degree Badge [African Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/african-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong african studies education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for african studies students.

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2027 Best Value African Studies Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in african studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value African Studies Schools

1

For return on investment in african studies, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

2
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for strong value in african studies will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the african studies program here. Early-career african studies graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for african studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

4

Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. African Studies graduates carry a median of $21,710 in student loans. Early-career african studies graduates make about $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for african studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $22,050. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,332. That is a strong return on a $22,050 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Chicago earned the #6 position for value in african studies this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the african studies program here. Early-career african studies graduates make about $38,008. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #7 position for value in african studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,850 to complete the african studies program here. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $20,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

8

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for african studies value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $24,546. African Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

9

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #9 position for value in african studies 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. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $22,486. African Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $42,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,486 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

10
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value african studies schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $14,357. Early-career african studies graduates make about $55,618. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.

11
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University earned the #11 position for value in african studies this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 6%.

Other African Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best-value african studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in African Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in African Studies

View All African Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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