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2023 Best Value Colleges for American U.S. Studies (With Aid)

51 Ranked Colleges
1,419 Degrees Awarded
$17,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 1,419 people earned their degree in American U.S. studies, making the major the 350th most popular in the United States.

For this year’s “Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 51 colleges that offer a degree in American U.S. studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent American U.S. studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the American U.S. studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for American U.S. Studies (With Aid)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s United States studies degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $12,469 for united states studies students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at UNC Chapel Hill

2
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 6 ’s United States studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford also took the #4 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $12,894 for united states studies students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at Stanford

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s United States studies degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley also took the #6 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for United States Studies students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at University of California - Berkeley

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid. Located in Provo, Utah, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 18 degrees to qualified ’s United States studies students in 2020-2021.

BYU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Brigham Young University - Provo is $13,474 for United States Studies students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Brigham Young University - Provo American U.S. Studies Report

5

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #5 spot on the list. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 21 ’s United States studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,054 for united states studies students with aid per year to attend CSULB.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at California State University - Long Beach

6

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. The University of Texas at Austin is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 23 ’s United States studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Austin is $18,350 for united states studies students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UT Austin American U.S. Studies Report

6
Williams crest
Williams College
Williamstown, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #6, Williams College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and it awarded 13 ’s United States studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Williams not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Williams is $23,497 for United States Studies students with aid.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at Williams College

8
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

Yale University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Yale is a fairly large school located in New Haven, Connecticut that handed out 29 ’s United States studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our united states studies students with aid list, Yale has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $15,296 for United States Studies students with aid per year to attend Yale.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Yale American U.S. Studies Report

9
Wellesley crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, Massachusetts

Wellesley College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s United States studies students in 2020-2021.

Wellesley also made our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Wellesley College is $23,908 for united states studies students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at Wellesley College

10
Amherst crest
Amherst College
Amherst, Massachusetts

Amherst College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s United States studies students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Amherst, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $21,657 for United States Studies students with aid per year to attend Amherst College.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

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

11

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s United States studies degrees to qualified students.

U-M also took the #17 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $14,878 for united states studies students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at U-M

12

Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 32 ’s United States studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Columbia is $22,823 for united states studies students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

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

13

California State University - Fullerton came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 59 ’s United States studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,003 for united states studies students with aid per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at Cal State Fullerton

14

University of California - Davis landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 17 ’s United States studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $15,768 for United States Studies students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full UC Davis American U.S. Studies Report

15

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $14,619 for united states studies students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at Indiana University - Bloomington

16

The City College of New York did quite well in the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. CCNY is located in New York, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s United States studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend CCNY is $2,805 for united states studies students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

17
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified ’s United States studies students in 2020-2021.

William & Mary also took the #24 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $19,593 for United States Studies students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

18

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Maryland - College Park is a large public school situated in College Park, Maryland. It awarded 22 ’s United States studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMCP is $18,048 for united states studies students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Maryland - College Park American U.S. Studies Report

19
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, Rhode Island

Brown University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Providence, Rhode Island is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s United States studies degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our united states studies students with aid list, Brown has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Brown is $29,544 for united states studies students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at Brown University

20

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s United States studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,424 for united states studies students with aid per year to attend University of New Mexico - Main Campus.

Read full report on American U.S. Studies at University of New Mexico - Main Campus

21
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #21, Emory University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our united states studies students with aid list, Emory has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Emory University is $22,597 for United States Studies students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Emory American U.S. Studies Report

22
Middlebury crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, Vermont

With a ranking of #22, Middlebury College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Middlebury, Vermont is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s United States studies degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Middlebury also took the #16 spot in our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Middlebury College is $26,525 for united states studies students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

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

23
Barnard crest
Barnard College
New York, New York

With a ranking of #23, Barnard College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Barnard is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Barnard did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Barnard College is $33,122 for united states studies students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at Barnard College

24

With a ranking of #24, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 17 ’s United States studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best American U.S. Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $24,756 for United States Studies students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Miami University - Oxford American U.S. Studies Report

25

With a ranking of #25, Utah State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value United States Studies Schools For Those Getting Aid list. USU is a large school located in Logan, Utah that handed out 9 ’s United States studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend USU is $13,257 for United States Studies students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about American U.S. Studies at USU

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