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2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

14 Colleges in the United States
$18,080 Avg Student Debt
$73,426 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value African American Studies Badge [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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for african american studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

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

Best Value African American Studies Schools

1

California State University Fresno earned the #1 spot for value among african american studies schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #2 place for african american studies. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $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. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

3

California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $26,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

5

California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $27,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

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Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #6 among the best values for african american studies. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $41,156. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

7

University Of California San Diego came in at #7 for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $23,747. African American Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $30,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

8

University Of California Irvine came in at #8 for value in african american studies this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $18,998. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $26,712. That is a strong return on a $18,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

9

San Francisco State University came in at #9 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. 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. African American Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,001 early in their careers. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

10

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #10 position for value in african american studies this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,056 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,056 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

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San Jose State University placed #11 among the best values for african american studies. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

12

Portland State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $32,441. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of California Riverside came in at #13 for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $31,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

14

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #14 spot for african american studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $32,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.

15

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #15 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, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $37,581. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

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University Of California Berkeley ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,740. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $34,559. That is a strong return on a $15,740 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

17

University Of California Davis came in at #17 for value in african american studies this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

18

San Diego State University placed #18 among the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $20,499. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $29,267. That is a strong return on a $20,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.

19
Laney College crest
Laney College
Oakland, CA

Laney College came in at #19 for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Oakland, Laney College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,258, while out-of-state students pay about $9,898. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,282.

20

University Of Southern California earned the #20 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $75,677. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.

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University Of Puget Sound came in at #21 for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,898 in tuition and fees. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $21,215 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $25,623. Set against $21,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puget Sound admits about 72% of applicants.

22

Loyola Marymount University earned the #22 position for value in african american studies this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Students borrow a median of $23,149 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $26,868. That is a strong return on a $23,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

Narrow African American Studies Schools by State

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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 · 29 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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