by our College Data Analytics Team
[European Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/european-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong european studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for european studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in european studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Amherst College the best value for a degree in european studies in the New England Region. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Typical student debt for european studies graduates is $15,398. Early-career european studies graduates make about $49,149. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
A rank of #2 makes Yale University one of the best values for european studies. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. European Studies graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Early-career european studies graduates make about $55,618. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Middlebury College one of the best values for european studies. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. European Studies graduates carry a median of $11,593 in student loans. European Studies graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. Set against $11,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brandeis University earned it the #4 place for european studies. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the european studies program here. Soon after graduation, european studies degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $47,783. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.