2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the Southwest 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.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value ethnic studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Leading the list is Southeastern Oklahoma State University, our #1 best value for ethnic studies in the Southwest Region. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $62,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Phoenix College earned it the #3 place for ethnic studies. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $15,204. Ethnic Studies graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #5. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $23,000. Ethnic Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $40,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
College Of The Muscogee Nation placed #6 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the rural area of Okmulgee, College Of The Muscogee Nation is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600. Ethnic Studies graduates of College Of The Muscogee Nation earn a median of $17,525 early in their careers.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #7 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,186 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,186 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $38,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #9 position for value in ethnic studies this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $25,219 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $26,875. Set against $25,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #10 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #11 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $26,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.