20 Best Deals on Colleges for Women’s Studies

ByTracy Eisenberg
PublishedApril 29, 2016
Last UpdatedOctober 4, 2023

The following is a ranking of the 20 best deals on colleges for women’s studies.

The study of women over time and in present society is a vital area of academia. With each generation of graduates, colleges send educated individuals into the world in support of our global community of women. The following ranking is the result of research completed on schools offering women’s studies. Points were awarded based on the presence of:

Featured Programs

comprehensive, multinational women’s studies curriculum
a faculty of experts in the field
extracurricular opportunities related to women’s studies
multiple forms of financial aid and scholarship
any other features of distinction that would add value to a student considering this degree track.

The 20 colleges profiled here scored the highest among an initial pool of 100 schools with a net price (per College Navigator) of $34,000 USD or less.

The schools profiled below are ranked in order of points earned from lowest points to highest. In the event of a tie in points, the schools with the lower net price are ranked higher. The following serves as a guide for students seeking the best deal on colleges with women’s studies degree options.

Best Women’s Studies Programs Ranked

#20 – Fort Lewis College

Durango, Colorado

Points: 8
Enrollment: 3,791
Net Price: $16,631

Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado is a small and energetic campus community with a diverse selection of degree tracks. The gender and women’s studies department offers both a major or minor degree. This program has proven increasingly popular among Fort Lewis students. The gender and women’s studies curriculum spans topics ranging in:

human sexuality
culture
society
gender equality
socioeconomic issues

With the college’s small class sizes, students report feeling that their perspectives are heard by fellow classmates and faculty.

#19 – Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

New Brunswick, New Jersey

Points: 8
Enrollment: 48,378
Net Price: $15,917

A leading academic institution in many research areas, Rutgers is a great option for a student looking for a large campus life. It has a student body of nearly 50,000. Incoming undergraduates are immersed in a wide range of cultures and perspectives. This school has an expansive women’s and gender studies department, offering degree opportunities from minor to Ph.D. In addition to its diverse curriculum, Rutgers sponsors:

student-run groups
extracurricular events
other year-round activities related to issues in women’s studies.

#18 – Ohio University

Athens, Ohio

Points: 9
Enrollment: 29,217
Net Price: $19,613
Ohio University was recently ranked in the top 3% of higher education institutions by the Center for World University Rankings. It’s a large campus community with a multitude of curriculum options. The women’s, gender, and sexuality studies program is a degree that explores the intersection of:

class
ethnicity
race
other diverse components of contemporary society

There are over 70 available courses in women’s studies, with crossover learning opportunities from other departments’ faculty. This college also offers internships related to women and gender study. A few of these have included Passion Works and Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery.

#17 – San Diego State University

San Diego, California

Points: 9
Enrollment: 33,483
Net Price: $10,085

A leading public research institution, San Diego State University is the academic home to an average student body of 33,000. This college has a vast range of courses in its program for women’s studies. Degree-seekers in this field are engaged in a cross-cultural education in feminist theory and how it relates to:

the natural sciences
humanities
social science
political justice

San Diego State’s women’s studies department was founded in 1970 and has the distinction of being the oldest of its kind in the nation.

#16 – Lafayette College

Easton, Pennsylvania

Website

Points: 10
Enrollment: 2,503
Net Price: $27,019

Built along the beautiful Delaware River, Lafayette College of Pennsylvania is a competitive but greatly supportive academic community. Among the many available degree concentrations is women’s and gender studies. Students learn about gender issues from a variety of perspectives:

cultural
psychological
scientific
economic
political
artistic

Upon graduation, degree-holders in this field are confident leaders and empowered contributors to society. Lafayette has a considerable $750 million endowment for undergraduates alone, which aids tuition affordability.

#15 – Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Website

Points: 10
Enrollment: 6,837
Net Price: $13,864

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is located in the northwestern region of the state. It’s an active campus bustling with:

student groups
athletics
the arts
challenging academics

Among its more than 100 degree areas is the women’s studies program. This educational concentration focuses on:

the study of women in history
present society
sciences
many other contexts

The mission of Edinboro’s women’s studies program is to instill a comprehensive understanding of the field and prepare graduates for career options. This college consistently earns recognition for its high education value at an affordable tuition.

#14 – Denison University

Granville, Ohio

Website

Points: 11
Enrollment: 2,278
Net Price: $29,412

Denison University, in suburban Ohio, is spread out over 930 beautiful acres just east of Columbus. The women and gender studies department is a multi-faceted program of:

strong curriculum
events
guest speakers
student groups, and more

Denison is focused on bringing awareness and sensitivity to the many issues facing women in contemporary society. This course of study also analyzes how various forms of identity relate to each other, including:

gender and race
class
religion
sexuality
other forms of identity

Due to considerable financial resources, this college offers generous financial aid packages to over 97% of its students.

#13 – Hollins University

Roanoke, Virginia

Website

Points: 11
Enrollment: 770
Net Price: $21,384

Virginia’s Hollins University has a student body of under 1,000 and average class size of 11. It’s an all-women’s institution that values individualized education. 96% of the faculty hold terminal degrees in their field, and work closely with students in achieving their academic goals. The women and gender studies major is one of the most popular degree selections. Students examine contemporary challenges facing gender’s intersection with:

race
class
nationality
age
sexuality
other elements of identity

Graduates of Hollins University’s women and gender studies department work in fields including:

law
nursing
women’s health
medicine
social work.

#12 – Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa

Website

Points: 11
Enrollment: 34,435
Net Price: $13,899

A mere 30 miles east of Des Moines, Iowa State University has a student body from across the US and over 100 other countries. The women’s studies program was established in 1977 and has curriculum based in various theories on:

gender
women
feminism

Students in this degree track build a comprehensive knowledge of women’s history in a vast range of global cultures. In addition to a rigorous academic component, the women’s studies division also offers internship and scholarship opportunities to qualified candidates.

#11 – Carthage College

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Website

Points: 12
Enrollment: 2,948
Net Price: $27,385

Recently featured in the Princeton Review’s “Best in the Midwest” college issue, Carthage College has maintained academic excellence since 1847. One of the college’s most well-regarded degrees is in women’s and gender studies, a program that is highly interdisciplinary. In addition to learning women’s history, students are exposed to how women and gender have impacted:

sociology
political science
religion
English
many more areas of study

Carthage College produces colloquiums throughout the year, with faculty and guest speakers addressing special topics in women’s studies.

#10 – Texas Woman’s University

Denton, Texas

Points: 12
Enrollment: 4,225
Net Price: $15,071

Texas Woman’s University, in the city of Denton, is among the largest and most diverse academic institution in the U.S. TWU distinguishes itself by offering the only multicultural women’s and gender studies M.A. in the Dallas / Ft. Worth region. This well-respected degree involves the study of multiple perspectives on:

history
current societal issues
social justice

TWU also produces a publication titled Films for the Feminist Classroom, which contains reviews and other written discussion related to recommended films for feminist education.

#9 – State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, New York

Points: 12
Enrollment: 7,692
Net Price: $13,750

The State University of New York at New PaltzRecently was ranked one of the nation’s “Best Value” colleges by The Princeton Review. It’s known for its progressive, liberal atmosphere and beautiful campus setting. This college has a culturally diverse student body and a 62% female population. For those seeking a degree in women’s studies, SUNY New Paltz offers a program that includes this field of curriculum. Students in this department are exposed to a wide range of:

feminist perspectives
women’s history
political matters facing gender and sexuality.

#8 – State University of New York at Purchase

Purchase, New York

Points: 13
Enrollment: 4,225
Net Price: $17,325

Just north of Manhattan, the State University of New York at Purchase is a famously liberal and progressive-minded college. It has a highly diverse campus life. The Gender Studies BA program is inclusive of an extensive women’s studies curriculum. In this degree, students are offered feminist perspectives on issues of:

gender
sexuality
social justice
class
race
other areas in contemporary society

The primary goal of SUNY Purchase’s women’s studies education is to develop students into strong-minded leaders and excellent research analysts. As part of the SUNY system, this college’s tuition is reliably affordable.

#7 – Rhode Island College

Providence, Rhode Island

Points: 13
Enrollment: 8,641
Net Price: $8,372

Stretched out over 150 beautiful acres, Rhode Island College of Providence is a quiet campus with close proximity to city life. For those interested in pursuing women’s studies, the college has a department in this field. The goal of the gender and women’s studies program is to expand discovery regarding:

sexuality
race
religion
class
ethnicity
age
issues facing women on a global scale

Additionally, students in this department develop stronger skills in:

research
writing
leadership.

#6 – Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York

Points: 13
Enrollment: 17,390
Net Price: $7,220

Brooklyn College in New York City is in one of the most progressive, diverse urban environments in the world. It has a rich history of academic excellence. Among the college’s 120 degree options is the women’s and gender studies track. This interdisciplinary program provides challenging examinations of:

history
politics
economics
sexuality
culture biases
other vital elements of the field

Brooklyn College women and gender studies alumni have advanced to careers in:

activism
research
psychology
law
politics

Financial scholarships in this academic area are offered on an annual basis.

#5 – Iona College

New Rochelle, New York

Points: 14
Enrollment: 3,909
Net Price: $26,718

Located just north of New York City, Iona College is a vibrant campus with a tight-knit community of under 4,000 students. The faculty and administration at Iona is committed to encouraging:

individuality
expression
equal treatment of all student viewpoints

Women’s studies is a well-respected department a the school. Students in this field explore:

contemporary feminism
gender roles in politics
contributions by women in society, and more

Iona alumni with a women’s studies degree have found careers in:

feminist scholarship
education
social services
women and children’s advocacy.

#4 – Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

Points: 14
Enrollment: 2,989
Net Price: $25,619

Founded in 1871, Smith College is a prestigious all-women academic institution in Massachusetts. This school is renowned for its:

scholar-level professors
mentor-based learning model
broad curriculum scope
esteemed alumni

For students seeking a career in women’s studies, Smith has an entire department dedicated to the exploration of women and gender. Undergraduates may select a major or minor degree track. Both offer courses that examine the origins of the field from multiple perspectives. Additionally, women and gender students learn of contemporary societal issues that still prevail on a global scale.

#3 – Hamilton College

Clinton, New York

Points: 14
Enrollment: 1,904
Net Price: $22,392

Founded in 1793, Hamilton College is one of the three oldest colleges in the state of New York. This college has a selective admissions process, ensuring ample representation of culture, gender, and academic achievements. Women’s studies is a popular degree selection. Students who select this path are provided a variety of approaches to this curriculum:

historical
methodological
theoretical

Student’s are encouraged to:

develop their own points of view
express substantive arguments
be confident leaders in the women’s studies field.

#2 – Amherst College

Amherst, Massachusetts

Points: 14
Enrollment: 28,635
Net Price: $18,840

Amherst College of Massachusetts is in the center of Pioneer Valley. It’s a large liberal arts community popular with both local and international students. This college has over 40 majors, one of which is in women’s and gender studies. This nine course degree is an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural academic program. It addresses the history and current issues facing gender identity. Amherst students in this field of study are encouraged to broaden their perspectives and question norms. This college also offers internships related to women’s studies, some of which include:

Village Volunteers
Trust Women
Reproductive Rights Activist Service Corps.

#1 – Wesleyan College

Macon, Georgia

Points: 15
Enrollment: 711
Net Price: $17,130

Wesleyan College, a highly selective academic institution, was founded in Macon, Georgia in 1836. One of this prestigious school’s notes of distinction is that it is was the first college to grant degrees to women. Additionally, Wesleyan educated the first woman to receive a Doctor of Medicine. The women’s studies degree provides both a comprehensive history and contemporary analysis of:

gender
sexuality
race
socioeconomics
religion
other related course topics

Wesleyan’s instructors teach curriculum that is based in feminist perspectives.

The list above represents a ranking of the best deals on colleges for women’s studies.

Other articles of interest:

GCD Staff
August 2016

Find Your Degree!