2027 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools in the Southwest 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 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 Southwest 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
Our analysis ranked Arizona State University the best value for a degree in american u.s. studies in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in american u.s. studies will find it at University Of New Mexico Main Campus, which ranked #2. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $49,983. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #3 place for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $22,215. American U.s. Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $38,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
