Skip to main content

Cheapest Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies Colleges

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

California State University-Los Angeles stands out as an strong value in Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies, offering a net price of just $4,113 that dramatically undercuts even other public institutions. This remarkable affordability gap becomes more striking when compared to private options like Fresno Pacific University at $14,317, creating a $10,000+ difference in annual costs. The field connects directly to California's massive nonprofit sector, which employs over 1.3 million people across organizations requiring cultural competency specialists. While graduation rates vary significantly across programs, from Randall University's concerning 20.5% to California State University-Chico's solid 63.6%, the most affordable options generally maintain acceptance rates above 85%. Students can expect post-graduation earnings around $25,194, making the substantial cost differences between institutions particularly meaningful for long-term financial planning. The concentration of affordable programs in California reflects the state's commitment to accessible education in fields addressing its increasingly multicultural population.
46
Programs
$4,113 – $50,218
Net Price Range
$28,084
Avg. Program Earnings
58.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

46 Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
2 $13,776 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%
3 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
4 $13,884 $6,438 54.4% 34.2%
5 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
6 $14,459 $29,790 54.8% 70.9%
7 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
8 $15,216 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
9 $16,041 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
10 $16,474 $17,322 20.5% 42.9%
11 $17,052 $14,685 40.8% 53.6%
12 $17,216 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
13 $17,339 $9,670 43.1% 91.0%
14 $17,733 $28,610 35.3% 61.9%
15 $17,945 $23,000 24.5% 61.2%
16 $19,603 $26,120 55.5% 84.1%
17 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
18 $19,968 $27,870 52.0% 51.2%
19 $19,983 $20,796 61.4%
20 $20,498 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
21 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
22 $21,504 $40,556 56.0% 69.1%
23 $21,619 $52,357 61.7% 52.2%
24 $21,660 $27,900 65.5% 48.2%
25 $21,887 $16,230 38.2%
26 $22,078 $29,195 51.1% 42.6%
27 $22,456 $20,260 23.9% 50.0%
28 $23,069 $31,168 66.3% 86.7%
29 $23,574 $29,460 63.6% 90.8%
30 $23,866 $30,310 50.8% 53.4%
31 $25,140 $36,830 68.4% 92.5%
32 $25,717 $43,810 66.2% 66.3%
33 $26,536 $41,416 69.4% 69.8%
34 $26,815 $38,450 70.9% 52.6%
35 $28,101 $46,704 68.8% 56.6%
36 $28,984 $54,100 80.8% 60.2%
37 $29,520 $36,120 46.2% 66.8%
38 $29,980 $64,908 90.4% 28.4%
39 $30,209 $31,732 43.3% 60.9%
40 $31,680 $17,700 85.7%
41 $31,771 $63,612 72.7% 46.1%
42 $32,965 $50,510 74.1% 75.2%
43 $36,684 $66,594 54.2% 95.5%
44 $38,787 $58,150 88.2% 57.9%
45 $44,876 $64,701 92.4% 23.4%
46 $50,218 $50,666 76.3% 93.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-Los Angeles so much cheaper than other programs?

Cal State LA's net price of $4,113 reflects California's aggressive financial aid programs for in-state students. The university's in-state tuition starts at just $6,813, and substantial grant funding brings the actual cost down further. This creates a nearly $10,000 annual savings compared to the next cheapest option at Wichita State University, which costs $13,776 net.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in this field?

Higher-cost programs don't guarantee better graduation outcomes in Intercultural Studies. California State University-Chico achieves a 63.6% graduation rate at $14,838 net cost, while expensive Randall University manages only 20.5% despite charging $16,474. The University of Idaho balances both factors well with 60.9% graduation rates at $13,782 net cost.

Is the earning potential worth the program investment?

With typical earnings around $25,194, graduates need to carefully consider debt loads. The University of Idaho reports median debt of $18,622, which represents about 74% of first-year earnings. California State University-Chico graduates carry $15,375 in debt, making it a more manageable 61% of expected income.

Does acceptance rate indicate program quality or selectivity?

Most affordable Intercultural Studies programs maintain high acceptance rates, with Wichita State accepting 94.85% of applicants and Cal State Chico accepting 95%. Brigham Young University-Hawaii offers the most selective option at 34.21% acceptance while maintaining competitive costs at $13,884 net. This suggests accessibility rather than exclusivity drives most programs.

Where do public and private costs differ most significantly?

The gap reaches its widest point between Cal State LA at $4,113 and private institutions like Fresno Pacific at $14,317. However, some private schools like Brigham Young University-Hawaii offer competitive pricing at $13,884 net cost. Private institutions typically start with higher sticker prices but may provide substantial financial aid to bring net costs closer to public alternatives.

More Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies Rankings

Best Value Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies Under $20,000

Related

All Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

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