2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in Illinois
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for ethnic studies students.
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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.
BA in Anthropology
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ethnic studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among ethnic studies schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $33,366. Set against $19,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $23,402. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $32,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Illinois State University one of the best values for ethnic studies. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. 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. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
More Ethnic Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
