2026 Best Value African American Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $14,094 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $32,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

2

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $22,875. African American Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $26,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

5

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

6

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #6 for value in african american studies this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #7 spot for african american studies value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $12,187. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $27,726. Set against $12,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

8

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge landed the #8 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $26,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

9

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for african american studies value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $22,500. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $27,058. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

10

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego earned the #10 position for value in african american studies this year. 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,747 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

11

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

12

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #12 among the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $12,870 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $26,342. Set against $12,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

13

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

14

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

15

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $21,792. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

16

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #16 position for value in african american studies this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,056 to complete the african american studies program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 39%.

17

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #17 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, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $13,500. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $32,341. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.

18

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $31,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

19

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #19 position for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,740. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $34,559. Set against $15,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #20 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $29,914. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

21

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #21 for value in african american studies this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $23,000. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $40,719. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

22

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #22 among the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $33,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

23

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #23 among the best values for african american studies. 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, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $14,802 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $33,991. That is a strong return on a $14,802 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

24

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $14,155. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $32,563. Set against $14,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

25

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $27,210. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $29,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.