2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in Massachusetts
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 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 Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in african american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value African American Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in african american studies in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at Amherst College, which ranked #2. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $18,032 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $40,120. That is a strong return on a $18,032 median debt. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $53,543. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for african american studies. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $26,965. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $41,872. That is a strong return on a $26,965 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at Smith College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the african american studies program here. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $19,105. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. Students from in state pay about $67,018 in tuition and fees. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $22,041 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $35,038 early in their careers. Set against $22,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Brandeis University landed the #7 spot for african american studies value this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $24,226 in student loans. Early-career african american studies graduates make about $35,057. Set against $24,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
