by our College Data Analytics Team
[American U.S. Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/american-us-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong american u.s. studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for american u.s. studies students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in History - American History
Learn to evaluate and discuss the topics and events that made an impact on America's history with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
MA in History - American History
Understand the impact of major political, cultural, social and economic shifts in American society with this specialized online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the american u.s. studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Williams College the best value for a degree in american u.s. studies in the New England Region. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $38,595. That is a strong return on a $12,615 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in american u.s. studies will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #2. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Amherst College one of the best values for american u.s. studies. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wellesley College earned it the #4 place for american u.s. studies. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $9,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $43,231. That is a strong return on a $9,525 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Middlebury College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,600. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $11,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $40,467. That is a strong return on a $11,593 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
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Brown University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $39,165. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University placed #7 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Smith College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $29,878. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University landed the #9 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $55,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Wesleyan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,042 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
Brandeis University placed #11 among the best values for american u.s. studies. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $43,748. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Connecticut College landed the #12 spot for american u.s. studies value this year. Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New London. Students from in state pay about $67,242 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,220 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $43,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Connecticut College admits about 37% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
