American U.S. Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for american u.s. studies students pursuing a degree.
Where you study american u.s. studies matters for your future. That is why we built our Best American U.S. Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best American U.S. Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for American U.S. Studies in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the american u.s. studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than University Of California Berkeley this year for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 40 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their american u.s. studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $50,728 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,972.
See the full american u.s. studies program report for University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong american u.s. studies program will find one at Georgetown University, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 22 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $64,851. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
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A rank of #3 makes Wesleyan University one of the top schools for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 27 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their american u.s. studies degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete this degree.
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Trinity College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in american u.s. studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 15 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at Trinity College in the most recent year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $52,927 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,667 to complete this degree.
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Yale University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. Yale University awarded about 44 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their american u.s. studies degree from Yale University earn around $55,618 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
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University Of Southern California ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 american u.s. studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 13 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $31,955 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
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College Of William And Mary placed #8 among the best american u.s. studies schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 13 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $53,779 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,250.
More information about a degree in american u.s. studies from College Of William And Mary
Washington University In St Louis earned the #9 position for american u.s. studies this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. American U.s. Studies graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $30,716 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
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University Of Kentucky ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 14 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in american u.s. studies from University Of Kentucky
University Of Notre Dame ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 21 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $35,304 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,250.
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Barnard College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Barnard College awarded about 14 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their american u.s. studies degree from Barnard College earn around $34,142 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
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Williams College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Williams College awarded about 12 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. American U.s. Studies graduates of Williams College earn a median of $38,595 early in their careers. Williams College graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans.
See the full american u.s. studies program report for Williams College
George Washington University came in at #14 for american u.s. studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 26 american u.s. studies students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. American U.s. Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
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Cornell University came in at #15 for american u.s. studies this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 14 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $43,831. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in american u.s. studies from Cornell University
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 16 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $37,019 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,236 to complete this degree.
Read more about the american u.s. studies program at Brigham Young University Provo
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #17 for american u.s. studies this year. 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 six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 27 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $41,903 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,486.
More information about a degree in american u.s. studies from Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #18 among the best american u.s. studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 15 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their american u.s. studies degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $32,062 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,984 to complete this degree.
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Towson University earned the #19 position for american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. Towson University awarded about 16 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $50,370 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,241.
More information about a degree in american u.s. studies from Towson University
University Of California Davis landed the #20 spot for american u.s. studies this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $21,527 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,167 in student loans.
See the full american u.s. studies program report for University Of California Davis
Connecticut College earned the #21 position for american u.s. studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New London. Connecticut College graduates 82% of students within six years. About 10 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at Connecticut College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Connecticut College generally make around $43,358. Typical student debt for the program is $21,220.
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Fordham University earned the #22 position for american u.s. studies this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. Fordham University awarded about 11 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $40,811 in their early career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $26,884 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #23 spot for american u.s. studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. About 16 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $38,223 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $22,215 in student loans.
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California State University Long Beach placed #24 among the best american u.s. studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 25 american u.s. studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,591. Typical student debt for the program is $15,697.
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California State University Fullerton ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 19 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $29,316. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
See the full american u.s. studies program report for California State University Fullerton
Rest of the Top 30 American U.S. Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s american u.s. studies ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 30 schools evaluated.
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).
