2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in the New England 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong american u.s. studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for american u.s. studies students.
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2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in the New England 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
Our analysis ranked Amherst College the best value for a degree in american u.s. studies in the New England Region. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $49,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Williams College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in american u.s. studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $12,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #3 place for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yale University earned it the #4 place for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $55,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brown University earned it the #5 place for american u.s. studies. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $39,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College landed the #6 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. 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. Set against $9,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Smith College earned the #7 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $29,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Wesleyan University landed the #8 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,042. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
Middlebury College placed #9 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,593 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $40,467. That is a strong return on a $11,593 median debt. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.
Trinity College came in at #10 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hartford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,770. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Trinity College generally make around $52,927. Set against $23,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trinity College admits about 29% of applicants.
Brandeis University came in at #11 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $26,000. American U.s. Studies graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $43,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Connecticut College placed #12 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New London. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,242. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $21,220 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Connecticut College generally make around $43,358. That is a strong return on a $21,220 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
