2026 Best Value Asian Studies Schools in New York
[Asian Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/asian-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for asian studies students.
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2026 Best Value Asian Studies Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in asian studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Asian Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Cornell University the best value for a degree in asian studies in New York. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the asian studies program here. Asian Studies graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Vassar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value asian studies schools. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for asian studies graduates is $18,486. Asian Studies graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $22,741 early in their careers. Set against $18,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Barnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in asian studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,888. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the asian studies program here. Asian Studies graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $50,790 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
