2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for african american studies students.
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2026 Best Value African American Studies Schools in the Southwest 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
Leading the list is Arizona State University, our #1 best value for african american studies in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for african american studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $40,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #2. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $25,219 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $26,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in african american studies will find it at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $23,186 in student loans. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,186 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned it the #4 place for african american studies. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. African American Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. African American Studies graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #5 place for african american studies. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the african american studies program here. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $37,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.