2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 16 schools to find the best return on investment for ethnic studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the ethnic studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools
For return on investment in ethnic studies, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $27,058. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #2 place for ethnic studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Southeastern Oklahoma State University one of the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $18,660. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $62,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
San Francisco State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,875 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,448 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $33,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #6 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $45,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #7 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $68,501. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #8 spot for ethnic studies value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $38,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Suny At Albany earned the #9 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $26,000. Ethnic Studies graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $29,823 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Georgia State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $31,000. Ethnic Studies graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $27,932 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #11 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $30,614 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. Set against $30,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #12 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $37,046 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $24,585 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $51,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama placed #15 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Simmons College placed #16 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $26,740 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $63,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
