2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Southeast 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong african american studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value african american studies schools.
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2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in african american studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value African American Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for african american studies in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $26,198. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida International University one of the best values for african american studies. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $12,870. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $26,342. Set against $12,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for african american studies. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for african american studies. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $27,210 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $29,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,210 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #6 for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $37,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University landed the #7 spot for african american studies value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Georgia State University came in at #8 for value in african american studies this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the african american studies program here. African American Studies graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $27,932 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #9 for value in african american studies this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $29,607. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Clemson University landed the #10 spot for african american studies value this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $53,834. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value african american studies schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for african american studies. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $14,100. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $34,197. Set against $14,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
