Skip to main content

Cheapest Ethnic Colleges in Massachusetts

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Williams College delivers the nation's most affordable net price for Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies at $14,852, despite charging $64,860 in sticker price. This reflects financial aid that makes elite private education accessible to students from all backgrounds. Harvard follows closely at $16,816 net cost while maintaining a 97.30% graduation rate. The earnings gap tells an interesting story, with UMass Boston graduates earning $39,009 compared to Smith College's $22,485, suggesting different career paths within the field. Massachusetts benefits from strong advocacy organizations, cultural institutions, and nonprofits that actively recruit graduates with expertise in identity studies, social justice, and community organizing. The state's tech sector also increasingly values professionals who understand inclusive design and varied market perspectives. Public options like UMass Boston offer solid value with 80.76% acceptance rates, while elite colleges provide transformational aid packages that often cost less than state schools.
24
Programs
$14,852 – $39,866
Net Price Range
$30,784
Avg. Program Earnings
78.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

24 Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,852 $64,860 96.6% 8.5%
2 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
3 $18,246 $67,280 93.4% 7.3%
4 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
5 $18,561 $11,882 54.9% 81.5%
6 $20,605 $15,208 49.0% 95.5%
7 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
8 $24,817 $28,100 67.6% 91.8%
9 $25,008 $64,320 91.2% 13.6%
10 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
11 $26,181 $61,568 89.7% 22.9%
12 $27,313 $45,538 71.2% 76.5%
13 $27,711 $55,160 77.1% 50.3%
14 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
15 $29,562 $64,142 85.0% 39.8%
16 $29,969 $54,500 80.8% 73.4%
17 $30,934 $62,080 75.7% 79.5%
18 $32,116 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
19 $33,885 $64,946 86.1% 39.4%
20 $35,435 $67,844 93.3% 9.7%
21 $36,684 $66,594 54.2% 95.5%
22 $36,868 $60,850 89.6% 36.4%
23 $37,899 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
24 $39,866 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $21,000 gap between Williams College and Mount Holyoke College net prices?

Williams College offers the lowest net price at $14,852 while Mount Holyoke costs $29,562 after aid. Both schools have similar $64,000 sticker prices, but Williams provides significantly more generous financial aid packages. Williams accepts only 8.50% of applicants compared to Mount Holyoke's 39.76%, allowing them to be more selective about both academics and financial need. The graduation rates remain comparable at 96.60% and 85.00% respectively.

How do public university costs compare to private colleges in this field?

UMass Boston costs $18,282 net price while offering the highest graduate earnings at $39,009 in the field. Westfield State provides even better value at $18,561 net cost with decent earnings of $26,896. These public options cost less than most private colleges while maintaining acceptance rates above 80%. UMass Dartmouth rounds out affordable public choices at $20,605 with a 95.52% acceptance rate.

Is there a connection between school selectivity and graduate earnings in this major?

The data reveals no clear pattern between selectivity and earnings outcomes. Harvard accepts just 3.24% of applicants but graduates earn $29,685, while UMass Boston with 80.76% acceptance produces $39,009 earners. Smith College, accepting 22.86% of students, shows the lowest earnings at $22,485 despite high graduation rates. This suggests career paths vary significantly within ethnic and cultural studies regardless of institutional selectivity.

Does attending an elite college guarantee better graduation rates in this field?

Elite colleges do show higher completion rates, with Harvard at 97.30% and Williams at 96.60% leading the pack. However, UMass Amherst achieves an impressive 83.20% graduation rate at much lower cost. Public universities like UMass Boston lag significantly at 51.10%, while Westfield State reaches 54.90%. The gap suggests that academic support and financial resources at private colleges help students complete their degrees.

Where do graduates find the best earning potential within Massachusetts?

UMass Boston leads graduate earnings at $39,009, likely reflecting the school's urban location and connections to Boston's nonprofit and advocacy sectors. Wellesley College graduates earn $33,993, while Mount Holyoke produces $30,409 earners. The variation suggests different career trajectories, with urban public university graduates potentially entering higher-paying corporate diversity roles. Smith College's $22,485 average may reflect graduates choosing mission-driven work in education or social services.

More Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Rankings

Best Value Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies in Massachusetts Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Under $20,000 in Massachusetts

Related

All Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Programs Best Colleges in Massachusetts Best Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies in Massachusetts

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