by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for women’s studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the women’s studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in women's studies in Massachusetts. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $26,965. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $41,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #3. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Amherst College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $18,032 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $40,120 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at Boston University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $25,232. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $63,598. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Simmons College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value women's studies schools. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $26,740 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $63,860. Set against $26,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
Wellesley College placed #7 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $11,075. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $43,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Smith College came in at #8 for value in women's studies this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of Smith College earn a median of $19,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Brandeis University came in at #9 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. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Students borrow a median of $24,226 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $35,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Tufts University earned the #10 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $17,074. Women's Studies graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.