by our College Data Analytics Team
[Women's Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/womens-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for women’s studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in women’s studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in women's studies, no school beat Harvard University this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $16,616. Women's Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amherst College earned it the #2 place for women's studies. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,032 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $40,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the best values for women's studies. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Boston earned it the #4 place for women's studies. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $26,965. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $41,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Smith College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $19,105. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Brandeis University came in at #6 for value in women's studies this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $24,226. Women's Studies graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $35,057 early in their careers. Set against $24,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.