2026 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 164 schools to find the best return on investment for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies students.
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2026 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
For return on investment in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $34,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $14,094 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Princeton University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $20,532. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $26,973 early in their careers. Set against $20,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies will find it at University Of Maryland University College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $48,650 early in their careers. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $25,545. Set against $21,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #7 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County earned the #8 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $18,038. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $52,440. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Towson University came in at #9 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $32,740. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #10 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,644 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $46,981. Set against $25,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #11 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Students borrow a median of $26,672 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. Set against $26,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Gallaudet University placed #12 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,654. Students borrow a median of $28,125 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Gallaudet University earn a median of $31,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gallaudet University admits about 58% of applicants.
Suny At Albany placed #13 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, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,657 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $32,033. Set against $22,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #14 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,395 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. That is a strong return on a $24,395 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #15 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $23,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #16 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $22,135 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $42,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #17 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $26,061. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $22,775. That is a strong return on a $26,061 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #18 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $24,469 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,469 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Temple University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $25,216. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $26,260. That is a strong return on a $25,216 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Cornell University came in at #21 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $43,831. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson College landed the #22 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,650. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $19,802 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $32,722 early in their careers. Set against $19,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
New York University landed the #23 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $19,250. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $51,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
George Washington University placed #24 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $25,500. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Franklin And Marshall College came in at #25 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,794. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $20,411 in student loans. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $43,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Franklin And Marshall College admits about 28% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 164 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
