2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in ethnic studies in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $14,094. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $32,083. Set against $14,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #3 place for ethnic studies. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #4 place for ethnic studies. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. 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. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $26,198. Set against $22,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #6 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $25,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

7

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #7 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

8

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College placed #8 among the best values for ethnic studies. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,532 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $26,973. Set against $20,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

9

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles ranked #9 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. 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. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

10

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #10 position for value in ethnic studies this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $12,187. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $27,726. Set against $12,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

11

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $26,767. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

12

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #12 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $10,492. Ethnic Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

13

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos came in at #13 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. 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. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

14

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,638 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $47,511. That is a strong return on a $18,638 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

15

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,120 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $30,628. Set against $18,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

16

Haskell Indian Nations University
Lawrence, KS

Haskell Indian Nations University earned the #16 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $600. Ethnic Studies graduates of Haskell Indian Nations University earn a median of $23,887 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

Oglala Lakota College
Kyle, SD

Oglala Lakota College landed the #17 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,684. Graduates go on to earn a median of $22,517 ten years after entry.

18

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #18 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,747 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $30,984. Set against $23,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

19

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #19 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $13,486 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $40,253. That is a strong return on a $13,486 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Hawaii At Hilo
Hilo, HI

University Of Hawaii At Hilo came in at #20 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,838, with out-of-state students paying around $20,798. Students borrow a median of $22,615 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Hawaii At Hilo earn a median of $48,141 early in their careers. Set against $22,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #21 among the best values for ethnic studies. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $60,527. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

22

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #22 among the best values for ethnic studies. 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, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,870 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $26,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

23

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #23 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $18,998. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $26,712. Set against $18,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

24

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #24 among the best values for ethnic studies. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

25

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.