2027 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-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 25 schools to find the best return on investment for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students.
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2027 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $16,776 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $32,179. That is a strong return on a $16,776 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $19,448 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $33,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #3 place for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Stark State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned it the #5 place for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #7 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $24,619. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $22,179. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,904. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $24,161. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,256. That is a strong return on a $24,161 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Chicago earned the #10 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $38,008 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #11 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $22,574. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #12 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $21,309 in student loans. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $68,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #13 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $30,614 in student loans. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $49,254. That is a strong return on a $30,614 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $25,782 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $29,887. That is a strong return on a $25,782 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #15 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $20,745 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $28,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,745 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Central Michigan University came in at #16 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $27,857. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $50,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University landed the #17 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #18 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $25,213. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #21 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $19,250. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $35,304. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford placed #22 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $20,552 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $50,637 early in their careers. Set against $20,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Northwestern University came in at #23 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $39,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University came in at #24 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $24,738. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $34,269. That is a strong return on a $24,738 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Oberlin College landed the #25 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. Students from in state pay about $67,366 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $24,951. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $20,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
