2026 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 79 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value women’s studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in women’s studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Women’s Studies Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among women's studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $10,698. Women's Studies graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $34,007 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $14,094. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $32,083. That is a strong return on a $14,094 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #3. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $34,777. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland University College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,276 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $65,890. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #5 place for women's studies. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $8,794. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Towson University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $32,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #7 spot for women's studies value this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. That is a strong return on a $25,644 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #8 position for value in women's studies this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $26,672. Women's Studies graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,672 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny At Albany landed the #9 spot for women's studies value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $29,823. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $23,751. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $30,296. Set against $26,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #12 for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $24,469. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,469 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $26,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in women's studies this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Syracuse University came in at #15 for value in women's studies this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $22,903 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $18,854 early in their careers. Set against $22,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
American University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from American University generally make around $46,206. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
Howard University placed #17 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the women's studies program here. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $58,495. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
The New School ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Students borrow a median of $24,460 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of The New School earn a median of $38,468 early in their careers. Set against $24,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
