2026 Best Value Women’s Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Women's Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/womens-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.
College Factual analyzed 413 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value women’s studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in women’s studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
For return on investment in women's studies, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. 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. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for women's 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $14,094 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $32,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for women's studies. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. 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. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $26,198. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for women's studies. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #6 for value in women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $25,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #7 position for value in women's studies this year. 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. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $12,187 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $27,726. That is a strong return on a $12,187 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos came in at #8 for value in women's studies this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $17,527. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Northridge ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $48,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $18,120 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #11 spot for women's studies value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo placed #12 among the best values for women's studies. Located in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,838, compared with $20,798 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,615 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $48,141. Set against $22,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #13 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $12,870 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $26,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine earned the #14 position for value in women's studies this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $18,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $18,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for women's studies. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $19,844. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #16 spot for women's studies value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,056 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $31,459. That is a strong return on a $15,056 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Georgia landed the #17 spot for women's studies value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
San Francisco State University earned the #18 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $17,875. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $50,955. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #19 for value in women's studies this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $32,341. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Humboldt State University earned the #20 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Students borrow a median of $15,533 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $34,928 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #21 for value in women's studies this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #22 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $40,719. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Sonoma State University came in at #23 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $35,263. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #24 spot for women's studies value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $15,740 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $34,559. That is a strong return on a $15,740 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #25 for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $27,210 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $29,723 early in their careers. Set against $27,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in women’s studies:
Other Women’s Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Women’s Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Women’s Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 413 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 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.
