2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/ethnic-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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for ethnic studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ethnic studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools
Leading the list is Minnesota State University Mankato, our #1 best value for ethnic studies in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $24,585 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. Set against $24,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
