by our College Data Analytics Team
[Asian-American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/asian-american-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong asian-american studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for asian-american studies students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the asian-american studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in asian-american studies in California. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Asian-American Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career asian-american studies graduates make about $41,156. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #2 place for asian-american studies. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for asian-american studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career asian-american studies graduates make about $26,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in asian-american studies will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,187 to complete the asian-american studies program here. Early-career asian-american studies graduates make about $27,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #4 place for asian-american studies. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Asian-American Studies graduates carry a median of $18,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, asian-american studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $26,712. That is a strong return on a $18,998 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Francisco State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value asian-american studies schools. 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. Typical student debt for asian-american studies graduates is $17,875. Soon after graduation, asian-american studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $31,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value asian-american studies schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Asian-American Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career asian-american studies graduates make about $40,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #7 for value in asian-american studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Asian-American Studies graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, asian-american studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $32,341. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #8 among the best values for asian-american studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Asian-American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, asian-american studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $37,581. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #9 spot for asian-american studies value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Asian-American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, asian-american studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California Davis landed the #10 spot for asian-american studies value 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. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete the asian-american studies program here. Early-career asian-american studies graduates make about $32,563. That is a strong return on a $14,155 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Southern California came in at #11 for value in asian-american studies this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the asian-american studies program here. Asian-American Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
