2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in New York

[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for ethnic studies students.
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2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ethnic studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools
For return on investment in ethnic studies, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. 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 #2 place for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $14,094 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. 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, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $20,532 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $26,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #4 place for ethnic studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny At Albany ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $29,823. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $18,799 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $55,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #8 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the ethnic studies program here. 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 placed #9 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $25,576. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,766. Set against $25,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Barnard College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,888. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $17,609 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. Set against $17,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University came in at #11 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $22,903. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $18,854. Set against $22,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
More Ethnic Studies Rankings
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.