2027 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in the United States
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $26,198. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $27,058. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,988 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $31,895. That is a strong return on a $12,988 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned it the #4 place for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $62,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes San Francisco State University one of the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. 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. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $17,875. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $31,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #6 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $21,544 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $19,457 early in their careers. Set against $21,544 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #7 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans. 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. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,485 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $25,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University earned the #9 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $41,156. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Guam ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Set in the suburb of Mangilao, University Of Guam is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,110, compared with $11,414 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $15,650 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of Guam earn a median of $26,880 early in their careers. Set against $15,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #11 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $14,935. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $42,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #13 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $22,179 in student loans. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $25,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #14 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $21,309. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $68,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Chicago earned the #15 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $38,008 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #16 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $20,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $19,797. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $38,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Arizona ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $24,568 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $31,169 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Suny At Albany placed #19 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $22,657. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $32,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Georgia State University placed #20 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $27,932. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Harvard University earned the #21 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #22 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $30,614 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $49,254. Set against $30,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #23 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $22,575 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $45,987 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,575 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #24 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $24,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Set against $24,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year:
Other Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
