2027 Best Value Women’s Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Women's Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/womens-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong women's studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 79 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for women’s studies students.
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2027 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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among women's studies schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,698 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $34,007. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for women's studies. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $26,198. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #5 place for women's studies. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $48,437. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton earned the #6 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $19,000. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $25,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos landed the #7 spot for women's studies value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #8 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $12,870. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $26,342. That is a strong return on a $12,870 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento earned the #9 position for value in women's studies this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $18,120. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $30,628 early in their careers. Set against $18,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #10 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,886. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for women's studies value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $14,802 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $33,991. That is a strong return on a $14,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #13 among the best values for women's studies. 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, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $29,914. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley placed #14 among the best values for women's studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $15,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $34,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
San Francisco State University landed the #15 spot for women's studies value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $49,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,875 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #16 for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $25,625. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $25,625 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #17 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Sonoma State University earned the #18 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $19,187. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $35,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $19,844. Women's Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Portland State University came in at #20 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $32,441. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,056. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $31,459. That is a strong return on a $15,056 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Florida International University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $53,749. Set against $14,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Humboldt State University placed #24 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,533. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $34,928. That is a strong return on a $15,533 median debt. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $27,210 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $29,723. That is a strong return on a $27,210 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for women’s studies this year:
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 79 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.
