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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value South Asian Studies Master’s Degree Schools

2 Colleges in the United States
$17,563 Avg Student Debt
$87,761 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value South Asian Studies Master's Degree Badge [South Asian Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/south-asian-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for south asian studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value South Asian Studies Schools in the United States

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

Best Value South Asian Studies Schools

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value south asian studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. South Asian Studies graduates carry a median of $14,922 in student loans. Soon after graduation, south asian studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $44,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in south asian studies will find it at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete the south asian studies program here. Soon after graduation, south asian studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $21,710 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

3
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for strong value in south asian studies will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #3. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for south asian studies graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, south asian studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #4 place for south asian studies. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. South Asian Studies graduates carry a median of $20,850 in student loans. Early-career south asian studies graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $20,850 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

5

Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in south asian studies, landing the #5 spot 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. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,486 to complete the south asian studies program here. Early-career south asian studies graduates make about $42,327. Set against $22,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

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Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University earned the #6 position for value in south asian studies this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical student debt for south asian studies graduates is $12,000. South Asian Studies graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.

7
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #7 among the best values for south asian 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 south asian studies program here. Soon after graduation, south asian studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

Other South Asian Studies Degree Levels

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

All Degree Levels in South Asian Studies
Associate's Degrees in South Asian Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in South Asian Studies
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View All South Asian Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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