2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Ethnic Studies doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 656 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Ethnic Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found The University Of Texas At Austin to be the best-value Ethnic Studies school in the United States. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At Austin Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
You'll get strong value at Cornell University, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Cornell University Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $104,043 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants. Read more about Cornell University
University Of California Davis came in at #3 on this year's best-value Ethnic Studies ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Davis, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,155 in student loans. Median earnings reach $80,838 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,155 median debt. University Of California Davis has an acceptance rate of 42%. Read more about University Of California Davis
A rank of #4 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values in the United States. Located in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $23,747. Graduates go on to earn a median of $84,943 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego has an acceptance rate of 27%. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the best values in the United States. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,915 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara has an acceptance rate of 33%. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
University Of California Berkeley ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $15,740 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $92,446. Set against $15,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $17,500 in debt. Indiana University Bloomington alumni report median earnings of $63,742 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
University Of California Los Angeles offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,511 ten years after entry. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $15,056. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,466 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus has an acceptance rate of 39%. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Arizona State University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Arizona State University Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $23,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Arizona State University
Brown University came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $13,025. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $93,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. See the full Brown University profile
Emory University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $19,610 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $80,137. That is a strong return on a $19,610 median debt. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants. See the full Emory University profile
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Santa Cruz, CA. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Graduates carry a median of $19,747 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,396. Set against $19,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants. See the full University Of California Santa Cruz profile
University Of Illinois At Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $19,448. University Of Illinois At Chicago alumni report median earnings of $68,740 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Illinois At Chicago profile
University Of Arizona placed #15 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $25,219. University Of Arizona alumni report median earnings of $59,979 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,219 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Arizona profile
University Of Colorado Boulder offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. University Of Colorado Boulder alumni report median earnings of $69,738 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Louisville landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Louisville, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $32,181. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,899. Set against $32,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisville has an acceptance rate of 79%. Read the full report on University Of Louisville
University Of California Riverside landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $23,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,699. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%. Read the full report on University Of California Riverside
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $25,730. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee alumni report median earnings of $54,990 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee has an acceptance rate of 91%. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. University Of Massachusetts Amherst Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $25,234 in debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst alumni report median earnings of $71,631 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Rutgers University New Brunswick Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $26,900 in debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick alumni report median earnings of $74,479 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 58% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #22 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,056 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 61% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
Portland Community College landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Portland Community College report
Princeton University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full Princeton University report
Southern Adventist University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. More on Southern Adventist University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Ethnic Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Delta College
Delta College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. More on Delta College
Hofstra University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Read more about Hofstra University
Lehigh University placed #28 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. See the full Lehigh University profile
Yale University
Yale University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Get the full Yale University report
California State University Northridge came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. More on California State University Northridge
Scottsdale Community College placed #31 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Scottsdale Community College
Suny At Geneseo
Suny At Geneseo placed #32 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Suny At Geneseo report
University Of New Mexico Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read the full report on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Depauw University came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. More on Depauw University
Florida State University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Read the full report on Florida State University
Lake Forest College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Lake Forest College profile
Lee University
Lee University landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Lee University
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. More on William Paterson University Of New Jersey
California State University Los Angeles landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on California State University Los Angeles
Chicago State University offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Chicago State University
Howard University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. More on Howard University
Kentucky State University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Kentucky State University report
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #44 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Moorhead
University Of Kentucky ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. See the full University Of Kentucky profile
Dominican University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Read more about Dominican University
Lawrence University placed #47 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Lawrence University
Oberlin College
Oberlin College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Get the full Oberlin College report
Washington State University placed #49 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Washington State University report
West Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full West Virginia Wesleyan College report
Related Ethnic Studies Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Ethnic Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Ethnic Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Ethnic Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Ethnic Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Ethnic Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Ethnic Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 656 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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