2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $10,698. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $34,007. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $14,094. Ethnic Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

3

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

A rank of #3 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.

4

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

5

West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.

6

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno landed the #6 spot for ethnic studies value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

7

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills placed #7 among the best values for ethnic studies. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

8

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #8 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $26,198 early in their careers. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

9

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College earned the #9 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

10

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $25,305. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

11

Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College earned the #11 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $14,122. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

13

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $20,532 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $26,973. That is a strong return on a $20,532 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

14

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $27,058. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

15

Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College earned the #15 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.

16

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College placed #16 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.

17

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $62,250. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

18

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $12,187 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $27,726 early in their careers. Set against $12,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

19

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #19 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $26,767. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

20

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #20 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $41,156. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

21

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #21 spot for ethnic studies value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,349. Ethnic Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

22

Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College came in at #22 for value in ethnic studies this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.

23

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos placed #23 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $17,527. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

24

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College earned the #25 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.