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Featured American U.S. Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in History - American History
Learn to evaluate and discuss the topics and events that made an impact on America's history with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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MA in History - American History
Understand the impact of major political, cultural, social and economic shifts in American society with this specialized online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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BA in Anthropology
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Leading the list is California State University Los Angeles, our #1 best value for american u.s. studies in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in american u.s. studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $29,316. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,697 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Students looking for strong value in american u.s. studies will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #4. 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. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. 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%.
Coastline Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the city of Fountain Valley, Coastline Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,612 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,483 ten years after entry.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #6 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $14,972. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $50,728 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #7 for value in american u.s. studies this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #8 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,167 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Western Washington University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $15,655. 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.
University Of Southern California earned the #10 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong american u.s. studies education at a price that pays off.
