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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong ethnic studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 16 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.
For return on investment in ethnic studies, no school beat Phoenix College this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $40,719 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,219 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $26,875. That is a strong return on a $25,219 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
