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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 98 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value women’s studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in women’s studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in women's studies, no school beat Oxnard College this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,886. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
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Citrus College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Chabot College came in at #7 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College came in at #8 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $12,733. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
California State University Fresno landed the #9 spot for women's studies value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. 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 came in at #10 for value in women's studies 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. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
City College Of San Francisco placed #11 among the best values for women's studies. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge landed the #12 spot for women's studies value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,000. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $48,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #13 spot for women's studies value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $12,187. 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 placed #14 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $18,120. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $30,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
East Los Angeles College earned the #16 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Irvine earned the #17 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $18,998 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $50,958. Set against $18,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Francisco State University came in at #18 for value in women's studies 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, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $17,875. Women's Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Los Angeles Mission College landed the #19 spot for women's studies value this year. Los Angeles Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Sylmar. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,834 ten years after entry.
Humboldt State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $15,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $34,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $13,500. Women's Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $32,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Sonoma State University earned the #22 position for value in women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $19,187. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $35,263. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside landed the #23 spot for women's studies value this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,040 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,000. Women's Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #25 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $15,740. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $34,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for women’s studies this year:
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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 · 98 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.