Medieval and Renaissance Studies Colleges Under $20,000

Medieval and Renaissance Studies programs reveal striking cost variations, with net prices ranging from $9,110 at University of Minnesota-Morris to $19,424 at Pomona College. The field attracts both public research universities and elite private colleges, creating unusual access patterns where Harvard costs $16,816 while Columbus State runs $11,889. Rice University stands out with a 95.70% graduation rate despite its selective 8.68% acceptance rate. These programs prepare students for careers in museums, archives, and cultural institutions, particularly valuable given the concentration of Renaissance collections in major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles. Public universities dominate the lower cost range, with seven schools under $18,000, while private institutions demonstrate their commitment to affordability through substantial financial aid packages.

Programs

$9,110 – $19,685

Net Price Range

76.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Medieval and Renaissance Studies Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, Minnesota	$9,110	$14,288	61.9%	77.7%
2	Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia	$11,889	$5,751	41.7%	87.8%
3	Rice University Houston, Texas	$12,640	$58,128	95.7%	8.7%
4	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California	$13,825	$14,965	85.3%	25.9%
5	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
6	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan	$14,832	$17,228	93.2%	17.7%
7	Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts	$16,816	$59,076	97.3%	3.2%
8	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
9	University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio	$17,460	$12,377	55.6%	92.2%
10	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
11	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486	$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
12	Swarthmore College Swarthmore, Pennsylvania	$18,686	$62,412	94.1%	6.9%
13	University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois	$18,967	$66,939	94.9%	5.4%
14	Lycoming College Williamsport, Pennsylvania	$19,258	$47,675	59.6%	75.2%
15	Pomona College Claremont, California	$19,424	$62,326	93.2%	7.0%
16	Plymouth State University Plymouth, New Hampshire	$19,685	$14,558	47.4%	97.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What accounts for the wide price gap between public and private Medieval Studies programs?

Private colleges like Harvard and Swarthmore charge over $59,000 in sticker prices but reduce net costs to $16,816 and $18,686 respectively through substantial financial aid. Public universities like University of Minnesota-Morris and Columbus State offer lower base tuition, resulting in net prices under $12,000. The 15 programs span from $9,110 to $19,424, showing both sectors can achieve affordability through different approaches.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable Medieval and Renaissance Studies programs?

Graduation rates range dramatically from 41.70% at Columbus State University to 97.30% at Harvard University. Elite private colleges consistently show rates above 93%, while public universities vary widely. Rice University achieves a 95.70% graduation rate despite its 8.68% acceptance rate, demonstrating that selectivity and completion often correlate in this field.

Is Medieval and Renaissance Studies more accessible at public universities?

Public universities comprise 60% of these affordable programs, with acceptance rates typically above 50%. University of Toledo accepts 92.23% of applicants with a $17,460 net price, while UC Santa Barbara maintains higher selectivity at 25.85% acceptance. Private colleges show extreme selectivity, with Harvard, Chicago, and Pomona all accepting under 8% of applicants.

Where do the most affordable Medieval Studies programs cluster geographically?

Midwest and Great Plains states offer the lowest costs, with University of Minnesota-Morris at $9,110 and University of Nebraska-Lincoln at $17,424. California provides strong value through UC Santa Barbara at $13,825, while the Northeast features expensive private colleges offset by generous aid. Ohio contributes multiple options including Columbus State at $11,889 and Ohio State at $18,292.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.