2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for ethnic studies students.
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2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ethnic studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in ethnic studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $10,698. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $34,007. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $14,094. Ethnic Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $20,532 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $26,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #6 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,500. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $34,777 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Nassau Community College landed the #7 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #8 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.
Towson University landed the #9 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $32,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Suny At Albany earned the #10 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. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. 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. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Gallaudet University came in at #11 for value in ethnic studies this year. Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,654. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $28,125. Ethnic Studies graduates of Gallaudet University earn a median of $31,541 early in their careers. Set against $28,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gallaudet University admits about 58% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #12 for value in ethnic studies this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $18,799. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $55,206. Set against $18,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #13 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $25,500. Ethnic Studies graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $23,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #14 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $25,576. Ethnic Studies graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,576 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #15 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $23,276 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $65,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #16 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $26,900. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $30,296. Set against $26,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Barnard College came in at #17 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
Temple University came in at #18 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $27,000. Ethnic Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $26,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,469 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,469 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $26,825 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Syracuse University placed #21 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $22,903. Ethnic Studies graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $18,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
American University earned the #22 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $46,206. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Howard University earned the #23 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $35,810 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $58,495. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. Roughly 41% 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
