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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value African Studies Master’s Degree Schools

2 Colleges in the United States
$17,762 Avg Student Debt
$87,632 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value African Studies Master's Degree Badge [African Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/african-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the african studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value African Studies Schools

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #1 spot for value among african studies schools in the United States. 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. African Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career african studies graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in african studies will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #2. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete the african studies program here. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $23,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

3

Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african studies, landing the #3 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete the african studies program here. African Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Set against $21,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,050 to complete the african studies program here. 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.

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. African Studies graduates carry a median of $20,850 in student loans. African Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $20,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

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6

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in african studies this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #7 among the best values for african studies. 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. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $22,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

8

University Of Chicago came in at #8 for value in african studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. African Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career african studies graduates make about $38,008. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

9
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University earned the #9 position for value in african studies this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the african studies program here. African Studies graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

10
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #10 position for value in african studies 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. 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. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

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11
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University earned the #11 position for value in african studies 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. Soon after graduation, african studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

Other African Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best-value african studies schools at other degree levels:

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

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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