2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in Massachusetts
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value american u.s. studies schools.
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2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in Massachusetts
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
Our analysis ranked Williams College the best value for a degree in american u.s. studies in Massachusetts. 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. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $38,595. Set against $12,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amherst College earned it the #3 place for american u.s. studies. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $49,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Wellesley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in american u.s. studies, landing the #4 spot 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. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $43,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Smith College earned it the #5 place for american u.s. studies. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $29,878. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Brandeis University earned the #6 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $43,748. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
