by our College Data Analytics Team
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong ethnic studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value ethnic studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the ethnic studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among ethnic studies schools in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned it the #2 place for ethnic studies. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $25,644. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University New Brunswick earned it the #3 place for ethnic studies. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $26,900. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $30,296. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
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This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
