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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for American U.S. Studies (Income $0-$30k)

27 Ranked Colleges
174 Degrees Awarded
$33,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 1,596 people earned their degree in American U.S. studies, making the major the 309th most popular in the United States.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 174 American U.S. studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 27 colleges that offered a degree in American U.S. studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great American U.S. studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the American U.S. studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank American U.S. Studies Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree united states studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for American U.S. Studies (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 3 masters’s United States studies degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL also made our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at WUSTL

#2

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s United States studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Yale, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Yale University American U.S. Studies Report

#3

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brown University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Brown is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Providence, Rhode Island. It awarded 10 masters’s United States studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown also took the #2 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at Brown

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 2 masters’s United States studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree united states studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor American U.S. Studies Report

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree united states studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Columbia has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York

#6

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Maryland - College Park did quite well on the 2022 Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMCP is a large school located in College Park, Maryland that handed out 2 masters’s United States studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UMCP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at University of Maryland - College Park

#7

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#15 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 2 masters’s United States studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree united states studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill American U.S. Studies Report

#8

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#13 in overall quality

William & Mary ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s United States studies degrees to qualified students.

William & Mary also took the #13 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at William & Mary are $34,800, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at William & Mary

#9

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s United States studies degrees to qualified students.

Purdue also took the #16 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at Purdue University - Main Campus

#10

The City College of New York

New York, New York

The City College of New York came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The City College of New York is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The City College of New York are $20,832.

Full The City College of New York American U.S. Studies Report

#11

Trinity College

Hartford, Connecticut
#14 in overall quality

Trinity College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Hartford, Connecticut, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 degrees to qualified masters’s United States studies students in 2019-2020.

Trinity Bantams also made our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Trinity College are $17,830, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Trinity College American U.S. Studies Report

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Fullerton landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fullerton American U.S. Studies Report

#13

University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware
#12 in overall quality

University of Delaware ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UD is a public institution located in Newark, Delaware. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UD also took the #12 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Delaware are $35,192, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at UD

#14

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#11 in overall quality

Saint Louis University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Louis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree united states studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, SLU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at SLU

#15

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#8 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 2 masters’s United States studies degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also took the #8 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at USC

#16

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia
#7 in overall quality

George Washington University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 9 masters’s United States studies degrees in 2019-2020.

GWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at George Washington University are $31,824, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at George Washington University

#17

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s United States studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree united states studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Iowa has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at Iowa

#18

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii

University of Hawaii at Manoa ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree united states studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UH Manoa has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UH Manoa American U.S. Studies Report

#19

Utah State University

Logan, Utah
#25 in overall quality

Utah State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Logan, Utah, this large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s United States studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Utah State University are $22,598, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at USU

#20

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#9 in overall quality

University of Kansas came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 2 masters’s United States studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree united states studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007.

Full University of Kansas American U.S. Studies Report

#21

Rutgers University - Newark

Newark, New Jersey
#24 in overall quality

Rutgers University - Newark ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rutgers Newark is located in Newark, New Jersey and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s United States studies degrees to qualified students.

Rutgers Newark also made our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #24. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rutgers Newark are $32,112.

Full Rutgers Newark American U.S. Studies Report

#22

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts
#20 in overall quality

University of Massachusetts - Boston came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Massachusetts - Boston is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s United States studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree united states studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMass Boston has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Massachusetts - Boston are $36,485, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at UMass Boston

#23

New York University

New York, New York
#6 in overall quality

New York University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s United States studies degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree united states studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, NYU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at New York University are $36,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at New York University

#23 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. BGSU is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 5 masters’s United States studies degrees in 2019-2020.

BGSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

#25

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
#18 in overall quality

The University of Alabama ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value United States Studies Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UA is a large public school situated in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It awarded 3 masters’s United States studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best American U.S. Studies Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Alabama are $30,940, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at The University of Alabama

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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