2026 Best Value Cultural Studies And Analysis Schools
Looking for the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 60 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce 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 Cultural Studies And Analysis Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found American Public University System to be the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis school in the United States. Based in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. American Public University System Cultural Studies And Analysis students take on a median of $23,438 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,409. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on American Public University System
You'll get strong value at Brigham Young University Hawaii, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Laie, HI. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630. Median earnings reach $52,064 ten years out. About 47% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Brigham Young University Hawaii
You'll get strong value at Texas A And M University Kingsville, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Texas A And M University Kingsville
Florida Atlantic University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Boca Raton, FL. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical Cultural Studies And Analysis student debt is $20,212. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,746. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants. More on Florida Atlantic University
A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. The median Cultural Studies And Analysis program debt is $21,842. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants. More on Arizona State University
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Bothell, WA, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical Cultural Studies And Analysis student debt is $15,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,466. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Washington Bothell Campus
University Of California Irvine offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete their Cultural Studies And Analysis program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,735 ten years after entry. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine has an acceptance rate of 29%. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
Northern Arizona University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools. Located in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,125 to complete their Cultural Studies And Analysis program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,384. Set against $21,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University has an acceptance rate of 90%. More on Northern Arizona University
George Mason University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Fairfax, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Cultural Studies And Analysis program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $76,343 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Get the full George Mason University report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Cultural Studies And Analysis students take on a median of $24,958 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,125 ten years after entry. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus has an acceptance rate of 58%. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
California Institute Of Integral Studies placed #11 among the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools in the United States. California Institute Of Integral Studies is a private not-for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $23,124. Graduates carry a median of $24,177 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,848. That is a strong return on a $24,177 median debt. Read more about California Institute Of Integral Studies
University Of Arizona offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. The median Cultural Studies And Analysis program debt is $21,861. Median earnings reach $59,979 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants. See the full University Of Arizona profile
Tufts University placed #13 among the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete their Cultural Studies And Analysis program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $83,214. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%. Read more about Tufts University
Occidental College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Occidental College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,274. The median Cultural Studies And Analysis program debt is $22,967. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,951. Set against $22,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted. More on Occidental College
University Of Connecticut offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Storrs, CT. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical Cultural Studies And Analysis student debt is $23,637. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,997. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
Mount Holyoke College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools. Based in South Hadley, MA, Mount Holyoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,018 in tuition and fees. Typical Cultural Studies And Analysis student debt is $22,041. Mount Holyoke College alumni report median earnings of $58,418 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Holyoke College has an acceptance rate of 36%. More on Mount Holyoke College
University Of Maine ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools. University Of Maine is a public school based in Orono, ME. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical Cultural Studies And Analysis student debt is $25,984. Median earnings reach $48,653 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Maine
Rhode Island School Of Design landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Rhode Island School Of Design profile
California Institute Of The Arts landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. More on California Institute Of The Arts
Northwestern University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. See the full Northwestern University profile
Samford University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Samford University
Bemidji State University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Bemidji State University report
Swarthmore College placed #23 among the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools in the United States. Read more about Swarthmore College
Hampshire College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. More on Hampshire College
Suny Empire State College placed #25 among the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools in the United States. Get the full Suny Empire State College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Cultural Studies And Analysis Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Vermont offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Get the full University Of Vermont report
College Of Micronesia Fsm offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. See the full College Of Micronesia Fsm profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #28 among the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus report
Luther College
Luther College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Luther College
Harvard University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Harvard University
Willamette University placed #31 among the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools in the United States. Read more about Willamette University
University Of Sacred Heart ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools. Get the full University Of Sacred Heart report
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
Chatham University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools. Read the full report on Chatham University
Bennington College placed #35 among the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools in the United States. Get the full Bennington College report
University Of North Dakota offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full University Of North Dakota profile
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Maryville University Of Saint Louis report
Bard College At Simons Rock placed #38 among the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools in the United States. Read more about Bard College At Simons Rock
Liberty University came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Liberty University
Boston Graduate School Of Psychoanalysis Inc came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Boston Graduate School Of Psychoanalysis Inc report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
Western Kentucky University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Western Kentucky University report
Universidad Del Turabo came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Universidad Del Turabo
George Fox University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. See the full George Fox University profile
Pacific Northwest College Of Art ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools. Read the full report on Pacific Northwest College Of Art
Ithaca College
Ithaca College placed #46 among the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools in the United States. More on Ithaca College
University Of St Thomas Minnesota offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. See the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota profile
Pitzer College
Pitzer College came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Pitzer College profile
Trinity College
Trinity College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cultural Studies And Analysis schools. More on Trinity College
Pratt Institute Main came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Pratt Institute Main
Best Value Cultural Studies And Analysis Schools by Degree Level
Explore value rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Value Cultural Studies And Analysis Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cultural Studies And Analysis Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cultural Studies And Analysis Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Cultural Studies And Analysis Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Cultural Studies And Analysis Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cultural Studies And Analysis Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Cultural Studies And Analysis Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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 60 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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