2027 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools to find the best return on investment for women’s studies students.
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2027 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in women’s studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked West Valley College the best value for a degree in women's studies in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #2 place for women's studies. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Cerritos College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Citrus College earned it the #4 place for women's studies. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
A rank of #5 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the best values for women's studies. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno came in at #6 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,598. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton earned the #7 position 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, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. 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%.
Mt San Antonio College placed #8 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
De Anza College landed the #9 spot for women's studies value this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College earned the #10 position for value in women's studies this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Long Beach City College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge came in at #12 for value in women's studies this year. 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. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Sacramento City College landed the #13 spot for women's studies value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College placed #14 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. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco placed #15 among the best values for women's studies. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. 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. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College landed the #16 spot for women's studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Sierra College placed #17 among the best values for women's studies. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #18 spot for women's studies value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #19 among the best values for women's studies. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. 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. Set against $18,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Fresno City College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $7,234. Women's Studies graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
California State University San Marcos came in at #21 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the women's studies program here. 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%.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $12,187 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University came in at #23 for value in women's studies this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $32,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Francisco State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $49,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Ohlone Community College placed #25 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the city of Fremont, Ohlone Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,714. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Ohlone Community College earn a median of $22,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in women’s studies:
Narrow Women's Studies Schools by State
More Women's Studies Rankings
View All Women’s Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
