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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value European Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

8 Colleges in the United States
$17,371 Avg Student Debt
$79,396 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value European Studies Bachelor's Degree Badge [European Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/european-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong european studies education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 66 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value european studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value European Studies Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in european studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value European Studies Schools

1

For return on investment in european studies, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the european studies program here. Early-career european studies graduates make about $54,471. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for european studies. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,697 to complete the european studies program here. Soon after graduation, european studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. Set against $15,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

3

Students looking for strong value in european studies will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. European Studies graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career european studies graduates make about $31,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

4

Students looking for strong value in european studies will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,922 to complete the european studies program here. European Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $43,668 early in their careers. Set against $14,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

5

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value european studies schools. 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. European Studies graduates carry a median of $17,746 in student loans. Soon after graduation, european 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. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

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Brigham Young University Provo earned the #6 position for value in european studies this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,236 to complete the european studies program here. Soon after graduation, european studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $37,019. That is a strong return on a $10,236 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #7 among the best values for european studies. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for european studies graduates is $16,984. European Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

8
Amherst College crest
Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Amherst College placed #8 among the best values for european studies. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Typical student debt for european studies graduates is $15,398. Soon after graduation, european studies degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $49,149. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value european studies schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. European Studies graduates carry a median of $22,050 in student loans. Soon after graduation, european studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

10
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #10 for value in european studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the european studies program here. Soon after graduation, european studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value european studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for european studies graduates is $20,850. Early-career european studies graduates make about $59,877. Set against $20,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

12

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #12 spot for european studies value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $22,215 to complete the european studies program here. Early-career european studies graduates make about $29,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

13

Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #13 among the best values for european studies. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. European Studies graduates carry a median of $25,973 in student loans. European Studies graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

14
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College came in at #14 for value in european studies this year. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,600. Students borrow a median of $11,593 to complete the european studies program here. Soon after graduation, european studies degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $40,467. Set against $11,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

15
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #15 among the best values for european studies. 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. Typical student debt for european studies graduates is $14,357. European Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

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Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University earned the #16 position for value in european 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. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the european studies program here. Soon after graduation, european studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.

17

Brandeis University landed the #17 spot for european studies value this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for european studies graduates is $26,000. European Studies graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $47,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.

18
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #18 position for value in european studies this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the european studies program here. Soon after graduation, european studies degree recipients from New York University generally make around $51,233. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.

19
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College landed the #19 spot for european studies value this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Typical student debt for european studies graduates is $19,000. European Studies graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $50,790 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

Other European Studies Degree Levels

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

All Degree Levels in European Studies
Associate's Degrees in European Studies
Master's Degrees in European Studies
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View All European Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 66 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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