2027 Best Value African American Studies Schools in Massachusetts
[African American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/african-american-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 10 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 Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $16,616. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $26,965. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $41,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Amherst College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $18,032. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $40,120. That is a strong return on a $18,032 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Boston University one of the best values for african american studies. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College came in at #6 for value in african american studies this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $43,926. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College earned the #7 position for value in african american studies this year. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,018. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $22,041. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $35,038. That is a strong return on a $22,041 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Smith College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $19,105. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Brandeis University placed #9 among the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Students borrow a median of $24,226 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $35,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Tufts University placed #10 among the best values for african american studies. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $17,074. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $68,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
More African American Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
