2027 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[African American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/african-american-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 14 schools to find the best return on investment for african american studies students.
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2027 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in african american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value African American Studies Schools
For return on investment in african american studies, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $22,875. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $26,198. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $12,870 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $26,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,870 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for african american studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for african american studies. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $27,210 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $29,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Memphis earned the #7 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $32,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Set against $32,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $37,411. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Georgia State University came in at #9 for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $27,932. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Louisville earned the #10 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $32,181. African American Studies graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $29,990 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama placed #11 among the best values for african american studies. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Emory University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $19,610. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $67,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #13 for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $29,607. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Duke University came in at #14 for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $83,388. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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.
