2027 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $22,875. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $26,198. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $12,988 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $31,879 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $24,499. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #5 place for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $21,544 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $19,457 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,544 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Georgia landed the #6 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #7 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $27,210 in student loans. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $29,723. That is a strong return on a $27,210 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #8 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $50,876. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #9 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University earned the #10 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Memphis earned the #11 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $32,000 in student loans. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Kennesaw State University placed #12 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $27,004. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #13 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. 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 $37,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky earned the #14 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Georgia State University earned the #15 position for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $27,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary came in at #16 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville landed the #17 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $32,181 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $29,990 early in their careers. Set against $32,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Emory University placed #18 among the best values for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $19,510. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $33,549. Set against $19,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #19 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $24,496. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #20 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $32,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #21 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $23,738 in student loans. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $35,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Piedmont International University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,575 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,154 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Soon after graduation, area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies degree recipients from Piedmont International University generally make around $61,421. Set against $28,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Duke University landed the #23 spot for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies value this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Spelman College came in at #24 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,556. Typical student debt for area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $28,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 25%.
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #25 for value in area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,678 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete the area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies program here. Early-career area, ethnic, culture, & gender studies graduates make about $53,507. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
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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.
