2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for american u.s. studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Leading the list is Towson University, our #1 best value for american u.s. studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Suny College At Old Westbury one of the best values for american u.s. studies. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. American U.s. Studies graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $44,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,274 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $22,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $41,903. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Cornell University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. American U.s. Studies graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Barnard College earned it the #5 place for american u.s. studies. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $69,888. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $34,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
George Washington University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $25,500. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $73,749. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 47%.
New York University earned the #7 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $19,250. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from New York University generally make around $51,233. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Dickinson College came in at #8 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,650. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $19,802 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $32,722 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dickinson College admits about 42% of applicants.
Georgetown University placed #9 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. American U.s. Studies graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $64,851 early in their careers. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
American University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $27,000. American U.s. Studies graduates of American University earn a median of $43,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Fordham University came in at #11 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $26,884. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $40,811. Set against $26,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants.
Narrow American U.S. Studies Schools by State
More American U.S. Studies Rankings
View All American U.S. Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
