2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in California
[African American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/african-american-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for african american studies students.
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2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in african american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value African American Studies Schools
For return on investment in african american studies, no school beat California State University Fresno this year. 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, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,598. African American Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #2 spot 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, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,886. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #3. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $10,492. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $41,156. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $26,767. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, 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. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $12,187. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $27,726. Set against $12,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $23,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #8 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. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $18,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #10 for value in african american studies this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside came in at #11 for value in african american studies this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $31,443. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #12 among the best values for african american studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $32,341. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $37,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley placed #14 among the best values for african american studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #15 position for value in african american studies this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
San Diego State University placed #16 among the best values for african american studies. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $20,499 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $29,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Laney College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Laney College is a large public school located in the city of Oakland. In-state tuition and fees average $1,258, with out-of-state students paying around $9,898. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,282 ten years after entry.
University Of Southern California earned the #18 position for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University earned the #19 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $23,149. African American Studies graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $26,868 early in their careers. Set against $23,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
More African American Studies Rankings
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
