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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value African Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

9 Colleges in the United States
$18,738 Avg Student Debt
$84,449 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value African Studies Bachelor's Degree Badge [African Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/african-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 77 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for african studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value African Studies Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in african studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value African Studies Schools

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in african studies in the United States. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. African Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career african studies graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value african studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. African Studies graduates carry a median of $17,746 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 9%.

3

Students looking for strong value in african studies will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,984 to complete the african studies program here. Early-career african studies graduates make about $28,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for african studies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $22,050. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,332. That is a strong return on a $22,050 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Kennesaw State University one of the best values for african studies. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the african studies program here. Early-career african studies graduates make about $53,824. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #6 spot for african studies value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $20,850. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #7 among the best values for african studies. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. African Studies graduates carry a median of $22,486 in student loans. Early-career african studies graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $22,486 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

8
Bowdoin College crest
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College earned the #8 position for value in african studies this year. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. African Studies graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $45,315. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.

9
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University came in at #9 for value in african studies this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the african studies program here. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $39,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

10
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College came in at #10 for value in african studies this year. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

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Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #11 spot for african studies value this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. African Studies graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $55,618. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.

12
Dickinson College crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA

Dickinson College earned the #12 position for value in african studies this year. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,650. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $19,802. African Studies graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $32,722 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dickinson College admits about 42% of applicants.

13
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University landed the #13 spot for african studies value this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $13,296. African Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

14
Connecticut College crest
Connecticut College
New London, CT

Connecticut College landed the #14 spot for african studies value this year. Set in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,242. Students borrow a median of $21,220 to complete the african studies program here. Early-career african studies graduates make about $43,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 37%.

15

George Washington University placed #15 among the best values for african studies. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. African Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career african studies graduates make about $73,749. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 47%.

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Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College earned the #16 position for value in african studies this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,030. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $18,486. African Studies graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $22,741 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants.

17

Franklin And Marshall College came in at #17 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. In-state tuition and fees average $70,794. Students borrow a median of $20,411 to complete the african studies program here. Early-career african studies graduates make about $43,020. Set against $20,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Franklin And Marshall College admits about 28% of applicants.

18
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College came in at #18 for value in african studies this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Typical student debt for african studies graduates is $19,000. African Studies graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $34,142 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.

Other African Studies Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value African Studies rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in African Studies
Associate's Degrees in African Studies
Master's Degrees in African Studies
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View All African Studies Rankings >

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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 · 77 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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