2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong ethnic studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for ethnic studies students.
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2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ethnic studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $14,802 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $33,991. Set against $14,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,448. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $33,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at Stark State College, which ranked #4. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $17,349. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned it the #5 place for ethnic studies. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $25,306. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $45,767. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,844. Ethnic Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #7 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago came in at #8 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $23,402. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $32,856. Set against $23,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #10 position for value in ethnic studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $24,161. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,256 early in their careers. Set against $24,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #11 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $17,500. Ethnic Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $68,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $30,614. Ethnic Studies graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,614 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #14 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $25,730. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $29,887. That is a strong return on a $25,730 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #15 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $28,841. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University placed #16 among the best values for ethnic studies. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $50,688. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University came in at #17 for value in ethnic studies this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #18 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $25,213. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #20 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Northwestern University landed the #21 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $39,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University earned the #22 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $18,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
