by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for ethnic studies students.
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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.
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for ethnic studies in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $16,616. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at Amherst College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $18,032 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $40,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the best values for ethnic studies. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $26,965 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $41,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at Smith College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $19,105. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
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Mount Holyoke College came in at #6 for value in ethnic studies this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. Students from in state pay about $67,018 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,041 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $35,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Brandeis University earned the #7 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $24,226. Ethnic Studies graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $35,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,226 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
