2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 86 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value ethnic studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ethnic studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for ethnic studies in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $26,198. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida International University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #3 place for ethnic studies. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $12,870 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $26,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #5. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $27,210 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $29,723. That is a strong return on a $27,210 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #6 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $37,411. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #7 for value in ethnic studies this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Georgia State University came in at #8 for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $27,932. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #9 among the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $29,607. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Clemson University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $23,783. Ethnic Studies graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
The University Of Alabama placed #11 among the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $24,496. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $50,740. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in ethnic studies this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $14,100 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $34,197 early in their careers. Set against $14,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Piedmont International University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,575. Students borrow a median of $28,154 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Piedmont International University earn a median of $61,421 early in their careers. Set against $28,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Spelman College landed the #14 spot for ethnic studies value this year. Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,556. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Spelman College generally make around $28,080. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 25%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.