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2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in african american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value African American Studies Schools
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among african american studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for african american studies. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $12,525. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $14,802 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $33,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #4 place for african american studies. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $19,448. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $33,366. That is a strong return on a $19,448 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $45,824 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #6 spot for african american studies value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $23,402. African American Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $32,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #7 for value in african american studies this year. 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. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $68,501. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #8 among the best values for african american studies. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $28,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #9 among the best values for african american studies. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $25,730. African American Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $29,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $22,574. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Set against $22,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $22,056. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $31,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in african american studies this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Oberlin College earned the #14 position for value in african american studies this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,366. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $25,146. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Narrow African American Studies Schools by State
[African American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/african-american-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.
