20 Best Deals on Colleges for LGBTQ Studies

ByTracy Eisenberg
PublishedApril 29, 2016
Last UpdatedOctober 27, 2023

Welcome to our ranking of best deals on colleges for LGBTQ studies.

Our society is growing more progressive and openly diverse. It is of critical importance that higher education reflect the multiple identities present on campus. Colleges with degrees in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) studies draw an increasing number of students nationwide. The following ranked list reflects research on U.S. colleges with affordable LGBTQ degree opportunities.

We awarded points based on the presence of:

a wide range of LGBTQ-related field areas and specialization options
diversity among faculty, student body, and surrounding community
professionally run resource centers that provide a safe, welcoming environment to LGBTQ students
any additional offerings that would be particularly valuable

The 20 colleges profiled here scored the highest among an initial pool of 50 schools with a net price (per College Navigator) of $33,000 USD or less.

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. This ranked list serves as a guide for students seeking the best deal on colleges that offer LGBTQ studies.

#20 – University of Wisconsin – Madison

Madison, Wisconsin

Points: 10
Enrollment: 42,598
Net Price: $16,131

The University of Wisconsin at Madison Ranked #11 among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” of 2015. It helps students become successful in and outside the classroom. This college has a 15-credit LGBT studies certificate program, which is a division of the gender and women’s studies department. Course topics in this program include:

contemporary feminist culture
queer literature
HIV/AIDS
ethnic studies, and more

All University of Wisconsin students can add the LGBT certificate to their degree, regardless of major.

#19 – University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

Points: 11
Enrollment: 24,096
Net Price: $14,179

The University of Oregon is one of the most progressive liberal arts educations in the Northwest. It continues to evolve with the interests of its student body. A minor in queer studies now exists in the university’s department of women’s and gender studies. This 24-credit program involves courses covering:

sexuality
the history of the LGBTQ community
gay legal issues, and more

This University of Oregon’s Division of Equity and Inclusion ensures the campus community’s access to benefits and opportunities, regardless of orientation or background.

#18 – Rutgers, State University of New Jersey – Newark

Newark, New Jersey

Points: 11
Enrollment: 11,314
Net Price: $9,858

Rutgers, State University of New Jersey is in a dynamic, urban setting that values both campus and community-wide diversity. This college established a women and gender studies program in 1970. multiple concentrations are available in the field. One of the concentrations is in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) studies. The LGBTQ minor analyzes this community through the study of:

history
literature
language
art
economics
political science
biology, and other disciplines

Rutgers has a generous range of programs and resources in support of its LGBTQ students.

#17 – Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Points: 12
Enrollment: 25,094
Net Price: $16,370

Grand Valley State University has an average class size of 26 and over 122 available degrees. It has shaped the academic development of students since 1960. One of the undergraduate degree options is a minor in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) studies. This program gives students the tools to address issues in:

sexuality
gender
class
identity

LGBTQ studies encourages students to examine societal stereotypes from a wide range of perspectives. Outside of the classroom, Grand Valley is home to the Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center. It has multiple supportive resources for students.

#16 – University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Points: 12
Enrollment: 27,596
Net Price: $13,940

The University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee is set along the beautiful coast of Lake Michigan. It has the ideal blend of small town relationships and big city resources. The UW-M campus is a celebration of differences and unique backgrounds of its student body. This institution offers a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) studies certificate program. It explores critical topics relate to issues facing this community. Additionally, the University of Wisconsin has opened a resource center that functions as a safe, therapeutic space for the LGBT campus population.

#15 – Montclair State University

Montclair, New Jersey

Points: 12
Enrollment: 22,022
Net Price: $14,898

Found in a cozy New Jersey town, Montclair State University is one of the state’s most expansive and opportunity-rich colleges. This college’s gender, sexuality, and women’s studies program was established in 1976 to educate students about the many contributions made by women in global society. The faculty of this department are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (GLBTQ) scholars in:

politics
educational theory
sociology
literary studies
other subject areas

One of the goals of Montclair State’s gender, sexuality, and women’s studies curriculum is to encourage examination of the complex relationship between feminists and the LGBTQ community.

#14 – University of California – Irvine

Irvine, California

Points: 12
Enrollment: 30,051
Net Price: $12,072

At just over 50 years old, the University of California at Irvine has become a significant institution with great community impact. UCI’s department of gender and sexuality has courses specializing in:

feminism
queer theory
gender and social justice in the Middle East
gender stereotypes

This college’s queer studies minor combines:

art
literature
history
other disciplines

This combination helps to examine complex theories in sexuality. The University of California at Irvine is committed to being a welcoming place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students. The campus provides:

gender-neutral bathrooms
safe housing
mentorship
HIV testing
many other needed resources.

#13 – University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Points: 13
Enrollment: 15,097
Net Price: $31,935

The University of Chicago is in one of the most progressive, stimulating cities in the nation. The university has earned global acclaim for its significant societal contributions. This institution has designated a department for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) studies and activity. It’s the central home to all LGBTQ student life at the college. UC is committed to being a resource in service to LGBTQ students, either simply as an ally, or in providing academic guidance in the field.

#12 – Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington

Points: 13
Enrollment: 15,060
Net Price: $15,184

Western Washington University is recognized by both Forbes and Kiplinger magazines as a top value education. It has a large, inclusive campus community. This college’s women, gender, and sexuality studies department has a curriculum that focuses on:

history
literature
creative writing
gay and lesbian studies
political science; anthropology
psychology
several other disciplines

Given the department’s small class sizes, Western Washington students feel they can truly engage with each other in complex discussions. This college has established a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender advocacy council. It which facilitates programming and meetings in support of LGBT students.

#11 – Pennsylvania State University

University Park, Pennsylvania

Points: 14
Enrollment: 47,040
Net Price: $24,220

Celebrating over 150 years of outstanding higher education, Pennsylvania State University has a vibrant campus life in balance with rigorous academics. Penn State undergraduates may select a sexuality and gender studies minor, where students gain knowledge in:

addressing theories of sexuality lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender movements
queer theory, gender identity
history of sexual norms
other related topics to the field

This university established its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQA) student resource center in 1994. A wide range of activities are sponsored in support of the community.

#10 – Kent State University

Kent, Ohio

Points: 14
Enrollment: 29,477
Net Price: $18,106

One of Ohio’s most competitive institutions, Kent State University brings incoming students from all 50 states and over 110 countries. Among KSU’s 300 academic areas is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender studies minor. It studies gender identity and sexual orientation through a wide spectrum of course topics. Some of these course topics include:

the sociology of gays and lesbians
introduction to LGBT studies
queer theory
social movements
additional classes from Kent’s College of Arts and Sciences

KSU has a longstanding National Gay and Lesbian Task Force that works toward advancing equal rights and freedom for the LGBTQ community.

#9 – University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky

Points: 14
Enrollment: 21,561
Net Price: $14,635

The University of Louisville is on 243 acres in Kentucky’s largest city. It has achieved excellence in higher education since 1970. An integral part of this college’s mission is to promote diversity and acceptance both in its admissions process and curriculum. LGBTQ studies is an increasingly popular choice of minor among students. Some of the courses associated with this minor include:

sociology
queer politics
LGBTQ literature
black lesbian lives
U.S. social justice movements

The University of Louisville opened an LGBT center in 2007. It provides students the opportunity to join:

pride week
SpeakOut discussion panels
related events.

#8 – University of California – San Diego

San Diego, California

Points: 14
Enrollment: 30,709
Net Price: $13,693

One of the top public research universities worldwide, the University of California at San Diego believes in an individualized education experience. This college has a widely respected critical gender studies (CGS) undergraduate program. CGS is an innovative degree path with a foundation in feminism and queer studies. CGS students take courses in:

sexuality
sexuality and race
art
gender theory

UC San Diego has a resource center for the LGBT campus community. The center provides access to:

health services
counseling
many other needs met by trained professionals.

#7 – University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Points: 15
Enrollment: 43,625
Net Price: $15,850

Founded in 1817 in the lovely city of Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan now has 19 specialized schools on its campus. One of UM’s best offerings is the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, which promotes values and professional business practices in diversity. The Ross School has also established a program “Ross Out for Business.” It assists LGBT students in campus participation, and mentorship in job-hunting. The University of Michigan offers an academic minor in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Transgender and Sexuality studies. It which addresses relevant topics including:

religion
social movements
history
queer theory, and more.

#6 – University of Maryland – College Park

College Park, Maryland

Points: 15
Enrollment: 37,610
Net Price: $14,833

The University of Maryland serves as the state’s flagship location in higher education. It has an enrollment of over 37,000 students of all backgrounds. One of the academic offerings is the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) minor. This 15 credit program is part of the department of women’s studies. It explores topics in:

sex
gender
issues in identity

In addition, the University of Maryland has an LGBT Equity Center. It offers opportunities including the Rainbow Terrapin Network for students interested in social justice advocacy.

#5 – Towson University

Towson, Maryland

Points: 15
Enrollment: 22,285
Net Price: $13,859

For over 150 years, Towson University has maintained a reputation for diversity both in academics and student body. The college is located on a suburban campus just outside Baltimore and Washington D.C. The close proximity to these major cities opens opportunities for internships and post-graduation employment. Towson holds the distinction of being the first university in Maryland to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) studies as its own academic field. The LGBT studies minor at Towson addresses various areas of the LGBT community movement, including:

politics
psychology
history
culture .

#4 – Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island

Points: 16
Enrollment: 9,181
Net Price: $21,193

With distinguished faculty and the best in academic facilities, Brown University has established itself as a world leader in higher education. This college’s gender and sexuality studies department is built on a curriculum spanning:

feminist theory
politics
multiculturalism
ethnicity
psychoanalysis, and more

Additionally, there is a growing list of research grants available to gender and sexuality students. Brown University is home to a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Center. It was established in 2004. It provides an inclusive, safe space for LGBTQ students and anyone else in the supportive community.

#3 – Stanford University

Stanford, California

Points: 16
Enrollment: 16,963
Net Price: $17,952

For over 125 years, Stanford University of California has been a global leader in:

scholar-level education
faculty
facilities

One of the institution’s most expansive academic areas is in feminist, gender, and sexuality studies. This department offers minor, major, or post-graduate degree options with multiple specializations. One of the specializations Stanford offers is in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) studies. It focuses on the history and theories of LGBTQ communities. Stanford University responds to the needs of transgender students. It provides educational and medical-based assistance related to gender reassignment.

#2 – University of California – Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Points: 16
Enrollment: 37,565
Net Price: $16,665

The University of California at Berkeley has 77 Fulbright Scholars and 7 Nobel Prize winners on its faculty. It attracts some of the best and brightest in academia. This institution offers over 170 academic fields. One of these is a minor program in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender studies. This minor delves into the study of sexuality through the lenses of:

sociology
history
literature
culture, and other areas

UC-Berkeley is home to the Gender Equity Resource Center (GenEq). The group is devoted to advocating for campus diversity and acceptance.

#1 – Cornell University

Ithaca, New York

Points: 17
Enrollment: 21,679
Net Price: $28,537

Providing a prestigious education in the heart of Ithaca, New York, Cornell University is a competitive and comprehensive academic opportunity. Among its progressive curriculum options is the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender studies,. It explores the complexity of sexuality and society. LGBT studies at Cornell integrates multiple disciplines and perspectives. some of the courses in the program include many ways to consider LGBT theories, including:

political
psychological
sociological
biological
anthropological
musical
historical
literary
artistic

Cornell’s LGBT community also offers events including the “First Year Queer Connections Group” and a well-received mentorship program.

The preceding is a ranked list of colleges that are the best deal for a future in LGBTQ studies.

Other articles of interest:

By GCD Staff
August 2016

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