2026 Best Value Demography Population Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Demography Population Studies doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 22 schools 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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat University Of California Berkeley this year in the United States. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Demography Population Studies students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. University Of California Berkeley alumni report median earnings of $92,446 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. About 11% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of California Berkeley
Out of the 22 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Pennsylvania landed the #2 spot. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. The median Demography Population Studies program debt is $16,155. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $111,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania has an acceptance rate of 5%. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
A rank of #3 makes Princeton University one of the best values in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical Demography Population Studies student debt is $10,888. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $110,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University has an acceptance rate of 5%. More on Princeton University
Out of the 22 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #4 spot. Based in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete their Demography Population Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,131. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Read more about The University Of Texas At San Antonio
A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the best values in the United States. Read more about Arizona State University
University Of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences
Emory University landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Emory University
Portland State University placed #8 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Portland State University
Pennsylvania State University World Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. See the full Pennsylvania State University World Campus profile
University Of San Francisco came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of San Francisco
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Claremont Graduate University placed #12 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. See the full Claremont Graduate University profile
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #13 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Clark Atlanta University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Demography Population Studies schools. See the full Clark Atlanta University profile
Florida State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Demography Population Studies schools. Read the full report on Florida State University
Harvard University placed #16 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Harvard University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
Suny At Albany
Suny At Albany offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. See the full Suny At Albany profile
The University Of Montana placed #19 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. More on The University Of Montana
Johns Hopkins University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. More on Johns Hopkins University
University Of California Irvine ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Demography Population Studies schools. Read more about University Of California Irvine
University Of Maryland College Park offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Related Demography Population Studies Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Demography Population Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Demography Population Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Demography Population Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Demography Population Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Demography Population Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Demography Population Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Demography Population Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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
- 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).