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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 the United States
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
California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among ethnic studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $27,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $18,660. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $62,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,349. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oglala Lakota College earned it the #4 place for ethnic studies. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,684. Median earnings reach $22,517 ten years out.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $23,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $30,984. That is a strong return on a $23,747 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
San Francisco State University placed #6 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $31,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #7 position for value in ethnic studies this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #8 spot for ethnic studies value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $15,740 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $34,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,740 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in ethnic studies this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $45,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #10 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $68,501. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in ethnic studies this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $38,260. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $29,823. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #13 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $24,585 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. Set against $24,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #14 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $51,133. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #15 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $24,660 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $50,876. That is a strong return on a $24,660 median debt. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
