2026 Best Value Italian Studies Schools in California

[Italian Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/italian-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value italian studies schools.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Italian Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in History - European History
Take an in-depth look at Europe's history through the prism of religion, politics, warfare and culture with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
BA in Anthropology
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Italian Studies Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in italian studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Italian Studies Schools
For return on investment in italian studies, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for italian studies graduates is $15,697. Italian Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,697 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in italian studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Italian Studies graduates carry a median of $11,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, italian studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Santa Barbara is a great value for students pursuing a degree in italian studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $22,697 to complete the italian studies program here. Italian Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.
More Italian Studies Rankings
View All Italian Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 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.