2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools
[American U.S. Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/american-us-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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools to find the best return on investment for american u.s. studies students.
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Finding the Best Value American U.S. Studies School for You
Where you study american u.s. studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value American U.S. 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.
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Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value American U.S. 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.
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2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the american u.s. studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools
For return on investment in american u.s. studies, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for american u.s. studies. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $31,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for american u.s. studies. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,972 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $50,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in american u.s. studies will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $29,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in american u.s. studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. American U.s. Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $19,844. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #7 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $15,697 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,591. That is a strong return on a $15,697 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #8 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $16,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #9 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Arizona State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $14,167. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $21,527. That is a strong return on a $14,167 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #12 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $20,274. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $44,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #14 among the best values for american u.s. studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $21,710 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $52,123. That is a strong return on a $21,710 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #15 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $10,236 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $37,019. Set against $10,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Kennesaw State University came in at #16 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University earned the #17 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $21,241. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Williams College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $12,615. American U.s. Studies graduates of Williams College earn a median of $38,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary landed the #20 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #21 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University earned the #22 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $26,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Coastline Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Set in the city of Fountain Valley, Coastline Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $11,612 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,483 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools
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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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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.
