2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[American U.S. Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/american-us-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for american u.s. studies students.
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2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in the Great Lakes 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
For return on investment in american u.s. studies, no school beat Purdue University Main Campus this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for american u.s. studies. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $16,984. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $32,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the best values for american u.s. studies. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the best values for american u.s. studies. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $35,304. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Miami University Oxford is a great value for students pursuing a degree in american u.s. studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $20,552 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. American U.s. Studies graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $50,637 early in their careers. Set against $20,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Oberlin College placed #6 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,366. Students borrow a median of $24,951 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $20,905. That is a strong return on a $24,951 median debt. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 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.
