2026 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-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.
College Factual analyzed 832 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $26,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $27,058. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Princeton University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $62,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #5 place for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $41,156. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $12,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $30,984. Set against $12,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Florida International University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Oglala Lakota College came in at #8 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,684 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $22,517 ten years out.
San Francisco State University came in at #9 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $31,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #10 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #11 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $14,935. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $43,315. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, 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. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $33,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $15,045. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $49,505 early in their careers. Set against $15,045 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #15 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $24,726. That is a strong return on a $17,485 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #16 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $21,309 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $68,501 early in their careers. Set against $21,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #17 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $24,548 in student loans. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $25,270. Set against $24,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University landed the #18 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender 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%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #19 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. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #20 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,745 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. 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 Arizona placed #21 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $24,568 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $31,169. That is a strong return on a $24,568 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $19,797 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $38,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,797 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Suny At Albany earned the #23 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $22,657 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $32,352. Set against $22,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #24 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $24,585. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Chicago came in at #25 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $38,008. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies:
Other Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 832 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
