2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in ethnic studies, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,698 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,007. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $14,094. Ethnic Studies graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,094 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $10,888. Ethnic Studies graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $20,532. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $26,973. That is a strong return on a $20,532 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #5 place for ethnic studies. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $34,777. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

6

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #6 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #7 for value in ethnic studies this year. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $52,440. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.

8

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College came in at #8 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $65,890. That is a strong return on a $23,276 median debt.

9

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $32,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

10

William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #10 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,644 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $46,981. Set against $25,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

11

Suny College At Brockport
Brockport, NY

Suny College At Brockport earned the #11 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Students borrow a median of $26,672 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $39,724. Set against $26,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.

12

Gallaudet University
Washington, DC

Gallaudet University landed the #12 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the city of Washington, Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,654. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $28,125. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $31,541. Set against $28,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

13

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany came in at #13 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $26,000. Ethnic Studies graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $29,823 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.

14

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #14 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $18,799. Ethnic Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $55,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,799 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

15

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #15 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $23,751. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.

16

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #16 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $30,296 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.

17

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #17 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $24,469. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

18

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University came in at #18 for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $27,000. Ethnic Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $26,260 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

19

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

20

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $22,903 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $18,854. Set against $22,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

21

American University
Washington, DC

American University came in at #21 for value in ethnic studies this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $46,206. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. American University admits about 62% of applicants.

22

Howard University
Washington, DC

Howard University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $58,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Howard University admits about 41% of applicants.

23

The New School
New York, NY

The New School landed the #23 spot for ethnic studies value this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Students borrow a median of $24,460 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from The New School generally make around $38,468. That is a strong return on a $24,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.