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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Russian Studies Schools

20 Colleges in the United States
$19,359 Avg Student Debt
$81,787 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Russian Studies Badge [Russian Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/russian-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 66 schools to find the best return on investment for russian studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Russian Studies School for You

Where you study russian studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Russian Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

Read more about our methodology

One Size Does Not Fit All

We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Russian 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.

Associate's Degrees in Russian Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Russian Studies
Master's Degrees in Russian Studies
Doctorate Degrees in Russian Studies

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

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2026 Best Value Russian Studies Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the russian studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Russian Studies Schools

1

University Of California San Diego earned the #1 spot for value among russian studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $11,300 to complete the russian studies program here. Russian Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $11,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in russian studies will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $14,922 in student loans. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $43,972. That is a strong return on a $14,922 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

3
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #3 place for russian studies. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Russian Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in russian studies will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $17,746 in student loans. Russian Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $23,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in russian studies will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,984 to complete the russian studies program here. Russian Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $32,062 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.

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Indiana University Bloomington came in at #6 for value in russian studies this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for russian studies graduates is $21,710. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $52,123. Set against $21,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

7

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #7 for value in russian studies this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the russian studies program here. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #8 among the best values for russian studies. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $22,697 in student loans. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. Set against $22,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for russian studies value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,050 to complete the russian studies program here. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $24,332. Set against $22,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

10

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #10 for value in russian studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for russian studies graduates is $22,215. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $38,223. That is a strong return on a $22,215 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

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Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #11 for value in russian studies this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $22,486 in student loans. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $22,486 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

12
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College landed the #12 spot for russian studies value this year. 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. Typical student debt for russian studies graduates is $9,525. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $43,231. Set against $9,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.

13

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value russian studies schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $25,973 in student loans. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $58,402. 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 placed #14 among the best values for russian studies. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for russian studies graduates is $11,593. Russian Studies graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. Set against $11,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.

15
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #15 spot for russian studies value this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the russian studies program here. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.

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Wesleyan University crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University earned the #16 position for value in russian studies this year. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,042. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Notre Dame placed #17 among the best values for russian studies. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the russian studies program here. Russian Studies graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,494 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

18
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College came in at #18 for value in russian studies this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Typical student debt for russian studies graduates is $16,520. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $48,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

19

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #19 spot for russian studies value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the russian studies program here. Russian Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

20

Brandeis University landed the #20 spot for russian studies value this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the russian studies program here. Soon after graduation, russian 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%.

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New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #21 spot for russian studies value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the russian studies program here. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $51,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

22
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College came in at #22 for value in russian studies this year. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,366. Students borrow a median of $24,951 to complete the russian studies program here. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. That is a strong return on a $24,951 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.

23
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College earned the #23 position for value in russian studies this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,888. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the russian studies program here. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $34,142. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.

24
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #24 among the best values for russian studies. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the russian studies program here. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Set against $26,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

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Russian Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 20 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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