by our College Data Analytics Team
[European Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/european-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for european 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 - European History
Take an in-depth look at Europe's history through the prism of religion, politics, warfare and culture with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the european studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Amherst College earned the #1 spot for value among european studies schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. European Studies graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Early-career european studies graduates make about $49,149. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Middlebury College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value european studies schools. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,600. Students borrow a median of $11,593 to complete the european studies program here. Early-career european studies graduates make about $40,467. Set against $11,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value european studies schools. 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. Typical student debt for european studies graduates is $25,232. European Studies graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Yale University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value european studies schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. European Studies graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Early-career european studies graduates make about $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Brandeis University one of the best values for european studies. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. European Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, european studies degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $47,783. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
