by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 136 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value ethnic studies schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ethnic studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Oxnard College, our #1 best value for ethnic studies in California. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
A rank of #2 makes West Valley College one of the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $14,308. Ethnic Studies graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Citrus College placed #6 among the best values for ethnic studies. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Chabot College came in at #7 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $14,122. Ethnic Studies graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles placed #8 among 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $27,058. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,000. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $25,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #10 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $15,598. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Sierra College landed the #11 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $12,733. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge landed the #12 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $26,767. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
City College Of San Francisco placed #13 among the best values for ethnic studies. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
California State University Long Beach earned the #14 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $12,187. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $27,726 early in their careers. Set against $12,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University San Marcos placed #15 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. 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 #16 for value in ethnic studies this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $18,120 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $30,628. Set against $18,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
East Los Angeles College landed the #17 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University East Bay ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $18,638 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $47,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,638 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #19 for value in ethnic studies this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #20 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $13,486 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $40,253 early in their careers. Set against $13,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Los Angeles Valley College came in at #21 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $10,254 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Los Angeles Valley College earn a median of $81,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California San Diego placed #22 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $23,747 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $30,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine placed #23 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $18,998. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $26,712. Set against $18,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $31,001. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Los Angeles Mission College came in at #25 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Sylmar, Los Angeles Mission College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,834.
These schools also delivered strong value for ethnic studies this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 136 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
