by our College Data Analytics Team
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 63 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for ethnic studies students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in ethnic studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Haskell Indian Nations University, our #1 best value for ethnic studies in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $600. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $23,887. Haskell Indian Nations University admits about 90% of applicants.
Oglala Lakota College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,684. Median earnings reach $22,517 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $56,289. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $21,964 in student loans. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $33,000 early in their careers. Set against $21,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in ethnic studies will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,900. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
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Minnesota State University Mankato placed #6 among the best values for ethnic studies. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $24,585. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $53,088. That is a strong return on a $24,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #7 position for value in ethnic studies this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Ethnic Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $37,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa earned the #8 position for value in ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ethnic studies graduates is $26,500. Early-career ethnic studies graduates make about $34,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #9 for value in ethnic studies this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the ethnic studies program here. Ethnic Studies graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $16,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
