by our College Data Analytics Team
[Women's Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/womens-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong women's studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 113 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for women’s studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in women’s studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Oxnard College earned the #1 spot for value among women's studies schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
West Valley College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $14,308. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #3 place for women's studies. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for women's studies. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #5 place for women's studies. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,886. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
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Citrus College came in at #6 for value in women's studies this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Chabot College landed the #7 spot for women's studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $14,122. Women's Studies graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
California State University Fresno ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton landed the #9 spot for women's studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $25,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Sierra College placed #10 among the best values for women's studies. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge came in at #11 for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $48,437. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $10,332. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
California State University Long Beach landed the #13 spot for women's studies value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $12,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $27,726. That is a strong return on a $12,187 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos came in at #14 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $18,120 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $30,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
East Los Angeles College came in at #16 for value in women's studies this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo earned the #17 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,838, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $22,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Hilo generally make around $48,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Hilo admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,998 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $50,958. That is a strong return on a $18,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Francisco State University landed the #19 spot for women's studies value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $17,875. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. That is a strong return on a $17,875 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Los Angeles Mission College landed the #20 spot for women's studies value this year. Set in the city of Sylmar, Los Angeles Mission College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Median earnings reach $39,834 ten years out.
Humboldt State University landed the #21 spot for women's studies value this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,533. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $34,928. That is a strong return on a $15,533 median debt. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #22 spot for women's studies value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $15,056 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $31,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University landed the #23 spot for women's studies value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $32,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #24 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $20,109. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #25 among the best values for women's studies. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $32,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in women’s studies:
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 113 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.