2027 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
[Women's Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/womens-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 124 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value women’s studies schools.
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Finding the Best Value Women’s Studies School for You
The women’s studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Women’s Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Women’s Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the women’s studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $10,698. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $14,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $32,083. Set against $14,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Fresno came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,598. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for women's studies. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $26,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $14,308. Women's Studies graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #6 among the best values for women's studies. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #7 for value in women's studies this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #8 spot for women's studies value this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $11,306. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge came in at #9 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
De Anza College landed the #10 spot for women's studies value this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton came in at #11 for value in women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $25,305. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Foothill College placed #12 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $11,595. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #13 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $9,384. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College earned the #14 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
California State University San Marcos placed #15 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #16 position for value in women's studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $12,870 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $26,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,870 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Diablo Valley College placed #17 among the best values for women's studies. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Sacramento placed #18 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $18,120. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $30,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Fullerton College placed #19 among the best values for women's studies. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #21 for value in women's studies this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #22 among the best values for women's studies. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,187 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $27,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #23 spot for women's studies value this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $10,332. Women's Studies graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Long Beach City College placed #24 among the best values for women's studies. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #25 spot for women's studies value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $14,802 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's 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. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s women’s studies value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Women’s Studies. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 124 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 124 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.
