2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 102 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value ethnic studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ethnic studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among ethnic studies schools in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $10,888. Ethnic Studies graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,698 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $34,007. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $14,094 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $32,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $27,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida earned the #6 position for value in ethnic studies this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $26,198. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Northridge placed #7 among the best values for ethnic 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, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $26,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny City College placed #8 among the best values for ethnic studies. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $20,532. Ethnic Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $26,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,532 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #9 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,000. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $25,305. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University East Bay landed the #10 spot for ethnic studies value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $18,638. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $47,511. Set against $18,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $17,527. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #12 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $18,120 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $12,870 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $26,342 early in their careers. Set against $12,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Haskell Indian Nations University came in at #15 for value in ethnic studies this year. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $600. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $23,887. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Long Beach placed #16 among the best values for ethnic studies. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,187 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $27,726. Set against $12,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Oglala Lakota College came in at #17 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,684. Graduates go on to earn a median of $22,517 ten years after entry.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #18 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $29,914. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #19 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $14,802 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $33,991. Set against $14,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #20 among the best values for ethnic studies. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $13,486. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $40,253. Set against $13,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #21 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of California Berkeley placed #22 among the best values for ethnic studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,740 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $34,559. Set against $15,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
San Francisco State University landed the #23 spot for ethnic studies value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $31,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #24 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,448. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $33,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,448 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Portland State University earned the #25 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $32,441. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ethnic studies value ranking:
Other Ethnic Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value ethnic studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Ethnic Studies Rankings >
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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 102 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.
