2026 Best Value Ethnic Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Ethnic Studies undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 656 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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 compile 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 Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
University Of Maryland College Park tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Ethnic Studies undergraduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland College Park Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
A rank of #2 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values in the United States. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public school based in Richmond, VA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Virginia Commonwealth University alumni report median earnings of $58,128 a decade after entry. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University
You'll get strong value at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #3 this year. Read the full report on Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
Out of the 656 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Gordon College landed the #4 spot. Read more about Gordon College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Forest College earned it the #5 place in the United States. More on Lake Forest College
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Read the full report on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Loyola University Chicago placed #7 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Loyola University Chicago
Eastern Washington University placed #8 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. More on Eastern Washington University
Folsom Lake College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. More on Folsom Lake College
Hamilton College
Hamilton College placed #10 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Hamilton College
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read more about New Mexico State University Main Campus
New York University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Read more about New York University
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
San Diego State University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Read more about San Diego State University
Savannah State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Get the full Savannah State University report
University Of Iowa placed #16 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. See the full University Of Iowa profile
Little Priest Tribal College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Read the full report on Little Priest Tribal College
Rowan University
Rowan University placed #18 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Rowan University report
San Juan College
San Juan College placed #19 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Get the full San Juan College report
Scottsdale Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Read more about Scottsdale Community College
Texas Womans University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Read more about Texas Womans University
Tufts University
Tufts University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Read more about Tufts University
University Of Denver placed #23 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Denver
Windward Community College placed #24 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Windward Community College
Coahoma Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Read more about Coahoma Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Ethnic Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of St Thomas Minnesota offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. See the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota profile
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. More on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Willamette University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Read more about Willamette University
Mt San Jacinto Community College District placed #29 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. See the full Mt San Jacinto Community College District profile
Syracuse University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Syracuse University report
University Of Dayton offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. More on University Of Dayton
Wayne State University placed #32 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Wayne State University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
Depaul University offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. More on Depaul University
San Francisco State University landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about San Francisco State University
Dartmouth College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Davidson College placed #37 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Davidson College report
Golden West College placed #38 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Golden West College report
Guilford College
Guilford College landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Guilford College
Pitzer College
Pitzer College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Pitzer College report
Seattle Pacific University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. More on Seattle Pacific University
American University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. More on American University
California State University Channel Islands ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Read more about California State University Channel Islands
Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Illinois Wesleyan University
Suny College At Brockport ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. Read the full report on Suny College At Brockport
California State University Northridge placed #46 among the best-value Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
Laney College
Laney College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Laney College report
Los Angeles City College landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Los Angeles City College
Oglala Lakota College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Get the full Oglala Lakota College report
University Of Alaska Anchorage ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Ethnic Studies schools. More on University Of Alaska Anchorage
Related Ethnic Studies Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Ethnic Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Ethnic Studies 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
- Best Value Ethnic Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.