2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 105 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value ethnic studies schools.
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Featured Ethnic Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the ethnic studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Henry Ford Community College the best value for a degree in ethnic studies in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for ethnic studies. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $33,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $14,802 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $33,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #6 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Stark State College landed the #7 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #8 spot for ethnic studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $25,306. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #9 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $68,501. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #10 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,402 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $32,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Wayne State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $45,824. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. That is a strong return on a $45,824 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Central Michigan University landed the #12 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,750. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $28,841 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #14 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #15 for value in ethnic studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $25,730 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $29,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #16 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Illinois State University landed the #17 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $22,056. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $31,179. Set against $22,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in ethnic studies this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $45,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #21 for value in ethnic studies this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Oberlin College earned the #22 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,366. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $24,759. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
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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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
