ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Russian Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

16 Colleges in the United States
$18,478 Avg Student Debt
$83,550 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Russian Studies Bachelor's Degree Badge [Russian Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/russian-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

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:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/russian-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/russian-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/russian-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/russian-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/russian-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/russian-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/russian-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 05.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Anthropology" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Anthropology" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in History" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "BA in History" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MA in History" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MA in History" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 0 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No ESYOH offers, checking direct offers

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

Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for russian studies in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $11,300 in student loans. Russian Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #2 place for russian studies. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,922 to complete the russian studies program here. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

3
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value russian studies schools. 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. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for russian studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete the russian studies program here. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $23,819. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in russian studies, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,984 to complete the russian studies program here. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $16,984 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

ADBLOCK #101
6

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #6 spot for russian studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for russian studies graduates is $22,697. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $45,488. Set against $22,697 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value russian studies schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,050 to complete the russian studies program here. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

8

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value russian studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.

9

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #9 for value in russian studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $22,215 in student loans. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $29,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

10
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College came in at #10 for value in russian studies this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,525 to complete the russian studies program here. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $43,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #11 position for value in russian studies this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $25,973 in student loans. Russian 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. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.

12
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College came in at #12 for value in russian studies this year. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

13
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #13 among the best values for russian 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. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the russian studies program here. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.

14
Wesleyan University crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value russian studies schools. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,042 in tuition and fees. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Notre Dame earned the #15 position for value in russian studies this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the russian studies program here. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

ADBLOCK #145
16
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College earned the #16 position for value in russian studies this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Russian Studies graduates carry a median of $16,520 in student loans. Soon after graduation, russian studies degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $48,565. Set against $16,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

17

Brandeis University came in at #17 for value in russian studies 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. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the russian studies program here. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $43,748. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.

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

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

19
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value russian studies schools. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,366. Typical student debt for russian studies graduates is $24,951. Early-career russian studies graduates make about $25,146. That is a strong return on a $24,951 median debt. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.

20
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College placed #20 among the best values for russian studies. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,888. Typical student debt for russian studies graduates is $19,000. Russian Studies graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $34,142 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.

Other Russian Studies Degree Levels

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

All Degree Levels in Russian Studies
Associate's Degrees in Russian Studies
Master's Degrees in Russian Studies
ADBLOCK #173
View All Russian Studies Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 16 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options