2026 Best Value Women’s Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University tops our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

2

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

A rank of #2 makes San Francisco State University one of the best values for women's studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #3 place for women's studies. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $15,740 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $34,559. Set against $15,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for women's studies. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. 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. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at University Of New Mexico Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $38,260. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

6

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #6 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $29,823. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

7

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #7 for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $24,585. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Set against $24,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

8

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #8 position for value in women's studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $17,921. Women's Studies graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $51,133 early in their careers. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.

9

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT

Southern Connecticut State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,660 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,660 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

10

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama placed #10 among the best values for women's studies. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

11

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $13,107 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $32,624. That is a strong return on a $13,107 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.