2027 Best Value African American Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[African American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/african-american-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong african american studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 76 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value african american studies schools.
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2027 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in african american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value African American Studies Schools
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $10,888. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $14,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $32,083. That is a strong return on a $14,094 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #4 place for african american studies. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $26,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $27,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Northridge came in at #6 for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $26,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $12,870 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $26,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,187 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $27,726 early in their careers. Set against $12,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #9 for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $14,802 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $33,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Cuny City College earned the #10 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $20,532. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $53,154. That is a strong return on a $20,532 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #11 among the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #12 spot for african american studies value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $34,559. That is a strong return on a $15,740 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #13 among the best values for african american studies. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,000. African American Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $29,914 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #14 position for value in african american studies this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,001 early in their careers. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Jose State University landed the #15 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $25,625. African American Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Georgia landed the #17 spot for african american studies value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for african american studies value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $23,747 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $23,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University came in at #20 for value in african american studies this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $10,492. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $41,156. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #21 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $33,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University placed #22 among the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #23 among the best values for african american studies. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,056. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $15,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Davis earned the #24 position for value in african american studies this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $14,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #25 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value African American Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s african american studies value ranking:
Other African American Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value African American Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All African American 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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 76 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.
