[African American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/african-american-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong african american studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 228 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value african american studies schools.
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Finding the Best Value African American Studies School for You
The right african american studies school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value African American Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value African American Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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.
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for african american studies in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $14,094 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $32,083. Set against $14,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for african american studies. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for african american studies. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $26,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $41,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #6 spot for african american studies value this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #7 for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,187 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $27,726. That is a strong return on a $12,187 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #8 for value in african american studies this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
California State University Northridge came in at #9 for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $26,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #10 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $27,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego landed the #11 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $23,747. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $30,984. Set against $23,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #12 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $12,870 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $26,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for african american studies value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #14 position for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
San Jose State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine earned the #16 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $18,998. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $26,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #17 among the best values for african american studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,056. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $15,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #18 spot for african american studies value this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $32,341. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #19 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $31,001. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Sinclair Community College earned the #20 position for value in african american studies this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $40,719. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,740 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $34,559 early in their careers. Set against $15,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #23 spot for african american studies value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $37,581. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #24 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $19,448 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $33,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #25 spot for african american studies value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $14,802 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $33,991. That is a strong return on a $14,802 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value African American Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s african american studies value ranking:
African American Studies Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to African American Studies. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
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 · 228 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[African American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/african-american-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong african american studies education at a price that pays off.
