2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the New England Region
[African American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/african-american-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong african american studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 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 the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in african american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value African American Studies Schools
Harvard University tops our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Amherst College one of the best values for african american studies. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $18,032. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $40,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #3 place for african american studies. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $21,875. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,965 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $41,872. Set against $26,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Smith College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of Smith College earn a median of $19,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Yale University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $13,107. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $32,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Wesleyan University placed #8 among the best values for african american studies. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,042. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Dartmouth College earned the #9 position for value in african american studies this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Students borrow a median of $15,157 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $31,967. Set against $15,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Mount Holyoke College earned the #10 position for value in african american studies this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $22,041. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $35,038. That is a strong return on a $22,041 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Brandeis University landed the #11 spot for african american studies value this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $24,226. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $35,057. Set against $24,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
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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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
