2026 Best Value Women’s Studies Schools in the New England Region

1

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

For return on investment in women's studies, no school beat Harvard University this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

2

Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Amherst College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Students borrow a median of $18,032 to complete the women's studies program here. Women's Studies graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $40,120 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

3

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

Students looking for strong value in women's studies will find it at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $21,875. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $28,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,965 to complete the women's studies program here. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $41,872. That is a strong return on a $26,965 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

5

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Early-career women's studies graduates make about $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

6

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT

Southern Connecticut State University placed #6 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $24,660 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.

7

Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College came in at #7 for value in women's studies this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Typical student debt for women's studies graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $19,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.

8

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value women's studies schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $13,107 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $32,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,107 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

9

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College came in at #9 for value in women's studies this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $15,157 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $31,967 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

10

Brandeis University
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University placed #10 among the best values for women's studies. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Women's Studies graduates carry a median of $24,226 in student loans. Women's Studies graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $35,057 early in their careers. Set against $24,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.