2027 Best Value Russian Studies Master’s Degree Schools

[Russian Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/russian-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for russian studies students.
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2027 Best Value Russian Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the russian studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Russian Studies Schools
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among russian studies schools in the United States. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for russian studies graduates is $17,746. Russian Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $23,819 early in their careers. Set against $17,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value russian studies schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $14,922 in student loans. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $44,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in russian studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete the russian studies program here. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for russian studies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,050 to complete the russian studies program here. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,332. Set against $22,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value russian studies schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Russian Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #6 position for value in russian studies this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $22,215 to complete the russian studies program here. Russian Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $46,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,215 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #7 among the best values for russian studies. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $22,486 to complete the russian studies program here. Russian Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $42,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Yale University came in at #8 for value in russian studies this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the russian studies program here. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $55,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
New York University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value russian studies schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the russian studies program here. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $51,233. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Other Russian Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value russian studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Russian Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.