2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[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. 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 the Southeast 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
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $31,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vanderbilt University earned it the #3 place for american u.s. studies. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $53,824. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Kentucky is a great value for students pursuing a degree in american u.s. studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary landed the #6 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $53,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
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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.
