by our College Data Analytics Team
[American U.S. Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/american-us-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 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.
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in american u.s. studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in american u.s. studies, no school beat Williams College this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,615 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $38,595. That is a strong return on a $12,615 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Harvard University one of the best values for american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the american u.s. studies program here. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Amherst College one of the best values for american u.s. studies. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. 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.
Wellesley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in american u.s. studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $9,525 in student loans. American U.s. Studies graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $43,231 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,525 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boston University earned it the #5 place for american u.s. studies. 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. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Early-career american u.s. studies graduates make about $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
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Smith College ranked #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. American U.s. Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $29,878. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Brandeis University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value american u.s. studies schools. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Typical student debt for american u.s. studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $43,748. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
