2027 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the New England 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for african american studies students.
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2027 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the New England 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
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in african american studies in the New England Region. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Amherst College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $18,032. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $40,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,965 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $41,872 early in their careers. Set against $26,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at Yale University, which ranked #5. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $13,107 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $32,624 early in their careers. Set against $13,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #6 for value in african american studies this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $28,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $25,232. African American Studies graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Wellesley College earned the #8 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $43,926. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Holyoke College landed the #9 spot for african american studies value this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,018. Students borrow a median of $22,041 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $35,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,041 median debt. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Smith College placed #10 among the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $19,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Dartmouth College came in at #11 for value in african american studies this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,157. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $31,967. That is a strong return on a $15,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Wesleyan University landed the #12 spot for african american studies value this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,042. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $16,125. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
Brandeis University landed the #13 spot for african american studies value this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $24,226 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $35,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University landed the #14 spot for african american studies value this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $68,154. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
