2026 Best Value Demography Population Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Demography Population Studies master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 22 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.
To help you make your decision, 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 22 Best-Value Demography Population Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found University Of California Irvine to be the best-value Demography Population Studies school in the United States. Set in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete their Demography Population Studies program here. Median earnings reach $80,735 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%. More on University Of California Irvine
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values in the United States. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,446 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%. More on University Of California Berkeley
You'll get strong value at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Demography Population Studies students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. 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. About 5% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
You'll get strong value at Princeton University, which ranked #4 this year. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit school based in Princeton, NJ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical Demography Population Studies student debt is $10,888. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $110,066. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%. See the full Princeton University profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of San Francisco earned it the #4 place in the United States. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. The median Demography Population Studies program debt is $23,935. University Of San Francisco alumni report median earnings of $89,812 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%. More on University Of San Francisco
Claremont Graduate University placed #6 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. Set in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Claremont Graduate University alumni report median earnings of $64,372 a decade after entry. Read the full report on Claremont Graduate University
Florida State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Demography Population Studies schools. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Florida State University Demography Population Studies students take on a median of $20,488 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,675 ten years after entry. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%. Read the full report on Florida State University
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Demography Population Studies schools. Located in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Median earnings reach $57,131 ten years out. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At San Antonio
University Of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. See the full University Of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences profile
Clark Atlanta University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Clark Atlanta University profile
The University Of Montana landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full The University Of Montana profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
Arizona State University landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Arizona State University report
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Portland State University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. More on Portland State University
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #16 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Johns Hopkins University placed #17 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Emory University
Emory University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Emory University
Harvard University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Harvard University report
Suny At Albany
Suny At Albany ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Demography Population Studies schools. Get the full Suny At Albany report
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #21 among the best-value Demography Population Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Cuny Graduate School And University Center offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Related Demography Population Studies Value Rankings
See value rankings for 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 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 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).