American U.S. Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their american u.s. studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 205 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best american u.s. studies schools.
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Where you study american u.s. studies matters for your future. That is why we built our Best American U.S. Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best American U.S. Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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.
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.
Best Schools for American U.S. Studies in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the american u.s. studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in american u.s. studies. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 55 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their american u.s. studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $50,728 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,972.
More information about a degree in american u.s. studies from University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong american u.s. studies program will find one at Wesleyan University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
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Students looking for a strong american u.s. studies program will find one at Georgetown University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 american u.s. studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their american u.s. studies degree from Georgetown University earn around $64,851 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483.
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College Of William And Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in american u.s. studies, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 16 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. American U.s. Studies graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,779 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete this degree.
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Yale University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in american u.s. studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Yale University awarded about 32 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $55,618. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
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Williams College landed the #6 spot for american u.s. studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Williamstown. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Williams College awarded about 13 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $38,595. Williams College graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans.
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Washington University In St Louis came in at #7 for american u.s. studies this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 12 american u.s. studies students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $30,716 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
See the full american u.s. studies program report for Washington University In St Louis
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $31,955 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans.
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University Of Kentucky ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 13 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their american u.s. studies degree from University Of Kentucky earn around $49,568 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in american u.s. studies from University Of Kentucky
Brown University placed #10 among the best american u.s. studies schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 american u.s. studies students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. American U.s. Studies graduates of Brown University earn a median of $39,165 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Notre Dame ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $35,304. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete this degree.
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George Washington University came in at #12 for american u.s. studies this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 american u.s. studies students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. American U.s. Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #13 position for american u.s. studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 16 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $32,062 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,984 to complete this degree.
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Brigham Young University Provo placed #14 among the best american u.s. studies schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 13 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. American U.s. Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $37,019 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,236 to complete this degree.
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Barnard College placed #15 among the best american u.s. studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Barnard College awarded about 21 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $34,142 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wyoming ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wyoming in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete this degree.
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Cornell University earned the #17 position for american u.s. studies this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 10 american u.s. studies students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $43,831. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans.
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Towson University placed #18 among the best american u.s. studies schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Towson University awarded about 11 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. American U.s. Studies graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete this degree.
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California State University Long Beach landed the #19 spot for american u.s. studies this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 19 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, american u.s. studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $28,591. Typical student debt for the program is $15,697.
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University Of Maryland College Park earned the #20 position for american u.s. studies this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 13 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their american u.s. studies degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $24,699 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 25 american u.s. studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $41,903 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,486.
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California State University Fullerton ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best american u.s. studies schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 23 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Students who receive their american u.s. studies degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $29,316 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #23 spot for american u.s. studies this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 19 american u.s. studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $38,223 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,215.
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Oberlin College landed the #24 spot for american u.s. studies this year. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 12 american u.s. studies students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $20,905 in their early career. Oberlin College graduates carry a median of $24,951 in student loans.
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University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #25 spot for american u.s. studies this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 american u.s. studies degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent year. Graduates of the american u.s. studies program make about $26,020 in their early career. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 26 American U.S. Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s american u.s. studies ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 205 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
