by our College Data Analytics Team
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 175 schools to find the best return on investment for ethnic studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ethnic studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Oxnard College tops our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #3 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, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for ethnic studies. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $15,886. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
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Citrus College landed the #6 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Chabot College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #8 position for value in ethnic studies this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $22,500. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $27,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno landed the #9 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Fullerton landed the #10 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, 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. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Sierra College landed the #11 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge came in at #12 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $26,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $10,332. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
California State University Long Beach earned the #14 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $12,187 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $27,726. Set against $12,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Windward Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the suburb of Kaneohe, Windward Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,194, with out-of-state students paying around $8,330. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $10,930. Ethnic Studies graduates of Windward Community College earn a median of $32,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,930 median debt.
California State University San Marcos came in at #16 for value in ethnic studies this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #17 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $18,120. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $30,628. Set against $18,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
East Los Angeles College earned the #18 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanford University earned the #19 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. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $41,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
California State University East Bay landed the #20 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $47,511 early in their careers. Set against $18,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #21 among the best values for ethnic studies. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $13,486. 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.
University Of California San Diego ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $23,747 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $30,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Los Angeles Valley College earned the #23 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $10,254 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo earned the #24 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,798. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $22,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Hilo generally make around $48,141. Set against $22,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #25 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $18,998 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $26,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in ethnic studies:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 175 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
