2027 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 16 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 Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the african american studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value African American Studies Schools
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for african american studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the african american studies program here. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for african american studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,094 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $32,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for african american studies. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $20,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $19,500. African American Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $34,777 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Nassau Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
Suny At Albany ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $29,823. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #7 spot for african american studies value this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $23,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #8 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $18,799. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $55,206. That is a strong return on a $18,799 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #9 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $25,576 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,766. That is a strong return on a $25,576 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #10 spot for african american studies value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $30,296. Set against $26,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Temple University earned the #11 position for value in african american studies this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $26,260. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #12 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $24,469. African American Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $26,825 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $36,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University came in at #14 for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $22,903 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $18,854. Set against $22,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
American University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from American University generally make around $46,206. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
Howard University earned the #16 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,810 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $58,495. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. Howard University admits about 41% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
