2026 Best Value Asian Studies Master’s Degree Schools

[Asian Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/asian-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 154 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for asian studies students.
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2026 Best Value Asian Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in asian studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Asian Studies Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among asian studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Asian Studies graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Asian Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in asian studies will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #2. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for asian studies graduates is $14,922. Soon after graduation, asian studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $44,276. That is a strong return on a $14,922 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in asian studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Asian Studies graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Asian Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in asian studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete the asian studies program here. Soon after graduation, asian studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $23,819. Set against $17,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
A rank of #5 makes Florida International University one of the best values for asian studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Asian Studies graduates carry a median of $21,544 in student loans. Early-career asian studies graduates make about $19,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #6 spot for asian studies value this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the asian studies program here. Soon after graduation, asian studies degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $26,020. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value asian studies schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the asian studies program here. Soon after graduation, asian studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #8 among the best values for asian studies. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for asian studies graduates is $22,215. Soon after graduation, asian studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $46,699. Set against $22,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of San Francisco earned the #9 position for value in asian studies this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. Asian Studies graduates carry a median of $23,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, asian studies degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Other Asian Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value asian studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Asian Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 154 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.