2026 Best Value American U.S. Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[American U.S. Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/american-us-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong american u.s. studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 205 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for american u.s. studies students.
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2026 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in american u.s. studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools
Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $10,492. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for american u.s. studies. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $29,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in american u.s. studies will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,697 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. American U.s. Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,591 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $20,283. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $13,000. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $31,955. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #6 for value in american u.s. studies this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,972 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $50,728. That is a strong return on a $14,972 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Williams College placed #7 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Harvard University earned the #8 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $16,616. American U.s. Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #9 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $10,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $37,019. That is a strong return on a $10,236 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #10 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. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $16,984 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $28,261. That is a strong return on a $16,984 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $31,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,167 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $21,527 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky landed the #13 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University landed the #14 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Amherst College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $15,398. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $49,149. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University placed #16 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $27,004. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $53,824. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #17 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #18 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $26,020. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #19 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $22,486. American U.s. Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $41,479 early in their careers. Set against $22,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University landed the #20 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $15,655 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $33,103. That is a strong return on a $15,655 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $22,215. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $29,746. Set against $22,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis placed #22 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $17,553. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $30,716. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary earned the #23 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,779 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College landed the #24 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $9,525 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $43,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #25 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $25,973. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $21,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for american u.s. studies this year:
Other American U.S. Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value American U.S. Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All American U.S. Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 205 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
