2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value african american studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among african american studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $14,094. African American Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,094 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Princeton University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $34,777. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $26,672 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $39,724. That is a strong return on a $26,672 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $29,823. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #7 position for value in african american studies this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $23,751. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #8 for value in african american studies this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,799 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $55,206. Set against $18,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #9 for value in african american studies this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $26,900. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $30,296. Set against $26,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #10 for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $24,469 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $56,926. Set against $24,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Temple University landed the #11 spot for african american studies value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $26,260. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Syracuse University placed #13 among the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $22,903 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $18,854. Set against $22,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
American University landed the #14 spot for african american studies value this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $46,206. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Howard University landed the #15 spot for african american studies value this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $25,498. African American Studies graduates of Howard University earn a median of $58,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow African American Studies Schools by State
More African American Studies Rankings
View All African American Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
