2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Ethnic Studies graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 656 schools 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
San Diego State University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $20,499. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,909. That is a strong return on a $20,499 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants. Get the full San Diego State University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Median earnings reach $67,170 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah has an acceptance rate of 86%. Read the full report on University Of Utah
A rank of #3 makes San Francisco State University one of the best values in the United States. Set in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,077. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. See the full San Francisco State University profile
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $19,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,792 ten years after entry. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
You'll get strong value at Depaul University, which ranked #5 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $27,000. Depaul University alumni report median earnings of $68,751 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. About 76% of those who apply are admitted. More on Depaul University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami University Oxford earned it the #5 place in the United States. Miami University Oxford is a public school based in Oxford, OH. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $24,177 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,076. Set against $24,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants. Read more about Miami University Oxford
George Washington University placed #7 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $90,873. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted. See the full George Washington University profile
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #8 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,289. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of Iowa placed #9 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,762. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Iowa
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in College Park, MD. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. University Of Maryland College Park alumni report median earnings of $82,860 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
Duke University placed #11 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Duke University alumni report median earnings of $97,800 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%. Get the full Duke University report
Colorado State University Fort Collins offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Colorado State University Fort Collins Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $22,843 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Florida placed #13 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida has an acceptance rate of 24%. Read more about University Of Florida
Arizona State University landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $23,000. Arizona State University alumni report median earnings of $62,668 a decade after entry. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Get the full Arizona State University report
Utah State University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Utah State University Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $16,191 in debt. Median earnings reach $54,022 ten years out. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants. Read the full report on Utah State University
California State University Sacramento placed #15 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Sacramento, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $18,120. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%. Read the full report on California State University Sacramento
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public school based in Albuquerque, NM. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. University Of New Mexico Main Campus Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,792. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus report
Portland State University placed #18 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Portland State University is a public school based in Portland, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Portland State University alumni report median earnings of $57,906 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants. Get the full Portland State University report
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #19 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school based in Richmond, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $58,128 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Virginia Commonwealth University
University Of Oregon offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $26,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,324 ten years after entry. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Oregon
Syracuse University placed #21 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $22,903. Median earnings reach $79,164 ten years out. Set against $22,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 46% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Syracuse University report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,730 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Median earnings reach $54,990 ten years out. Set against $25,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Set in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. University Of Massachusetts Amherst alumni report median earnings of $71,631 a decade after entry. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #24 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $14,802 in debt. Median earnings reach $83,648 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
University Of Rhode Island ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Based in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. University Of Rhode Island Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $21,875 in debt. University Of Rhode Island alumni report median earnings of $69,743 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Rhode Island
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Ethnic Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of Connecticut offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. University Of Connecticut Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $26,262 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,997. That is a strong return on a $26,262 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Connecticut
University Of Chicago landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $91,885. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago has an acceptance rate of 4%. See the full University Of Chicago profile
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public school based in Durham, NH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Students borrow a median of $25,832 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,479 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,832 median debt. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants. See the full University Of New Hampshire Main Campus profile
Albion College
Albion College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. More on Albion College
Gavilan College
Gavilan College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. More on Gavilan College
Morehouse College landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Morehouse College profile
South Plains College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on South Plains College
Wesleyan University came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. More on Wesleyan University
California State University Northridge landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
Lorain County Community College placed #35 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. See the full Lorain County Community College profile
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read the full report on Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College
Bay Mills Community College placed #37 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. See the full Bay Mills Community College profile
Columbia College Chicago landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Columbia College Chicago
Middlebury College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on Middlebury College
Northwest Indian College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Northwest Indian College profile
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Minnesota Duluth profile
Western Kentucky University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Get the full Western Kentucky University report
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. See the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus profile
Brenau University placed #44 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. More on Brenau University
Cankdeska Cikana Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. More on Cankdeska Cikana Community College
Fullerton College landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Fullerton College
North Idaho College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. See the full North Idaho College profile
The College Of Wooster placed #48 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. More on The College Of Wooster
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Dayton landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Dayton report
Related Ethnic Studies Value Rankings
Explore 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Ethnic Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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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