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2026 Best Value Demography Population Studies Schools

2026 Best Value Demography Population Studies Schools

Looking for the best-value Demography Population Studies programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 22 colleges 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.

So you can compare your options, 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 22 Best-Value Demography Population Studies Schools in the United States

Learn more about these high-value schools below:

Cuny Graduate School And University Center tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Demography Population Studies programs schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Typical Demography Population Studies student debt is $17,921. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,991 ten years after entry. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center has an acceptance rate of 68%. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center

Out of the 22 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of California Irvine landed the #2 spot. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Median earnings reach $80,735 ten years out. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%. More on University Of California Irvine

University Of California Berkeley came in at #3 on this year's best-value Demography Population Studies ranking in the United States. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,446 ten years after entry. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley has an acceptance rate of 11%. Read more about University Of California Berkeley

#4

University Of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on this year's best-value Demography Population Studies ranking in the United States. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Demography Population Studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $111,371 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report

You'll get strong value at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in College Park, MD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical Demography Population Studies student debt is $20,836. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,860. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile

#6

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

Princeton University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Demography Population Studies schools. Based in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical Demography Population Studies student debt is $10,888. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $110,066. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. More on Princeton University

#7

University Of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Demography Population Studies schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. The median Demography Population Studies program debt is $23,935. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,812 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants. Read more about University Of San Francisco

Portland State University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Portland State University Demography Population Studies students take on a median of $26,475 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,906. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. More on Portland State University

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #9 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. Set in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At San Antonio Demography Population Studies students take on a median of $23,312 in debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio alumni report median earnings of $57,131 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At San Antonio

Claremont Graduate University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Demography Population Studies schools. Located in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Median earnings reach $64,372 ten years out. Get the full Claremont Graduate University report

#11

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #11 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,675. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants. Read the full report on Florida State University

#12

The University Of Montana

Missoula, MT

The University Of Montana offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Typical Demography Population Studies student debt is $24,342. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,511. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The University Of Montana has an acceptance rate of 96%. See the full The University Of Montana profile

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #13 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school based in Amherst, MA. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. The median Demography Population Studies program debt is $25,234. Median earnings reach $71,631 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report

Johns Hopkins University placed #14 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile

University Of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences report

Clark Atlanta University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Clark Atlanta University

Emory University placed #17 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. See the full Emory University profile

Harvard University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. See the full Harvard University profile

Columbia University In The City Of New York offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile

Suny At Albany placed #20 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Suny At Albany report

Pennsylvania State University World Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Get the full Pennsylvania State University World Campus report

Arizona State University placed #22 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Arizona State University

Best Value Demography Population Studies Schools by Degree Level

Compare value rankings by degree level:

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 22 ranked schools only.

References

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