2026 Best Value African Studies Schools

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in african studies in the United States. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the african studies program here. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

2

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for african studies. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $21,842. African Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for african studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete the african studies program here. African Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $23,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for african studies. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $16,984. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $32,062. That is a strong return on a $16,984 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

5

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $21,710. African Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #6 position for value in african studies 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, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $20,850. Early-career african studies graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $20,850 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #7 among the best values for african studies. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $22,050. African Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $24,332 early in their careers. Set against $22,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

8

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University placed #8 among the best values for african studies. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the african studies program here. African 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%.

9

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for african studies value 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. African Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

10

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #10 position for value in african studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. African Studies graduates carry a median of $22,486 in student loans. African Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago placed #11 among the best values for african studies. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. African Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. African 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

12

Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College placed #12 among the best values for african studies. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $24,000. Early-career african studies graduates make about $45,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants.

13

Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College placed #13 among the best values for african studies. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,600. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $11,593. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $54,713. Set against $11,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

14

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #14 position for value in african studies this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $25,232. Early-career african studies graduates make about $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

15

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University earned the #15 position for value in african studies this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $12,000. African Studies graduates of Brown University earn a median of $39,165 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

16

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value african studies schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the african studies program here. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $55,618. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value african studies schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $24,958. Early-career african studies graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

18

Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA

Dickinson College placed #18 among the best values for african studies. 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. African Studies graduates carry a median of $19,802 in student loans. African Studies graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $32,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

19

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University landed the #19 spot for african studies value this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $13,296. Early-career african studies graduates make about $83,388. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

20

Connecticut College
New London, CT

Connecticut College came in at #20 for value in african studies this year. Located in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,242. African Studies graduates carry a median of $21,220 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Connecticut College generally make around $43,936. That is a strong return on a $21,220 median debt. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.

21

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University landed the #21 spot for african studies value this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the african studies program here. Early-career african studies graduates make about $73,749. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.

22

Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College placed #22 among the best values for african studies. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,030. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $18,486. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Vassar College generally make around $22,741. That is a strong return on a $18,486 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.

23

Franklin And Marshall College
Lancaster, PA

Franklin And Marshall College earned the #23 position for value in african 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. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $20,411. African Studies graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $43,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,411 median debt. The acceptance rate is 28%.

24

Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College placed #24 among the best values for african studies. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. African Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $34,142. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

25

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University came in at #25 for value in african studies this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. African Studies graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Early-career african studies graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.