2026 Best Value American U.S. Studies Schools

1

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

For return on investment in american u.s. studies, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in american u.s. studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

3

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #3 place for american u.s. studies. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $29,316. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #4 place for american u.s. studies. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $15,697 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $28,591 early in their careers. Set against $15,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

5

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in american u.s. studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

6

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #6 for value in american u.s. studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $31,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

7

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #7 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,972 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $50,728. That is a strong return on a $14,972 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

8

Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College landed the #8 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,615 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $38,595. That is a strong return on a $12,615 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

9

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University landed the #9 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. American U.s. 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. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

10

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #10 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $16,616. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

11

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #11 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $10,236. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $37,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

12

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #12 among the best values for american u.s. studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $52,123. Set against $21,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $16,984. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $32,062 early in their careers. Set against $16,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

14

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University landed the #14 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $13,000. American U.s. Studies graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $31,894 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

15

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #15 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,167 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $21,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,167 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky earned the #16 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

17

Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, CA

Coastline Community College earned the #17 position for value in american u.s. studies this year. Coastline Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fountain Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $11,612. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,483.

18

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park placed #18 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. American U.s. Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $24,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

19

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University placed #19 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $50,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

20

Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Amherst College landed the #20 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $15,398. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $49,149. That is a strong return on a $15,398 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #21 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $26,020. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

22

Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA

Kennesaw State University came in at #22 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.

23

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. 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. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

24

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University came in at #24 for value in american u.s. studies this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Students borrow a median of $15,655 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $33,103. Set against $15,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

25

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #25 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $22,215. American U.s. Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $38,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,215 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.