African American Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their african american studies programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for african american studies students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for african american studies can shape your career. That is why we built our Best African American Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best African American Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for African American Studies in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the african american studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Duke University tops our 2027 ranking of the best african american studies schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Duke University awarded about 24 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $83,388 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,296.
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A rank of #2 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the top schools for african american studies. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 african american studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $53,666 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong african american studies program will find one at Northwestern University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 13 african american studies degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $39,012 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
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Princeton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 african american studies degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $67,532 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
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University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 14 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $34,559 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,740 to complete this degree.
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Dartmouth College placed #6 among the best african american studies schools. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Dartmouth College awarded about 14 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $31,967. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $15,157 in student loans.
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University Of California Davis ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best african american studies schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 13 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $32,563 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,155.
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Amherst College placed #8 among the best african american studies schools. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 african american studies students who graduated with this degree at Amherst College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $40,120 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,032.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #9 position for african american studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 10 african american studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. African American Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $55,206 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,799.
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University Of California Los Angeles earned the #10 position for african american studies this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 african american studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $37,581. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
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University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best african american studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 african american studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $28,841 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750.
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Indiana University Bloomington landed the #12 spot for african american studies this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 african american studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $68,501 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #13 for african american studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. About 17 african american studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. African American Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $37,046 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Howard University earned the #14 position for african american studies this year. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Howard University awarded about 17 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from Howard University earn around $58,495 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,498.
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Suny At Albany ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best african american studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 11 african american studies degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from Suny At Albany earn around $29,823 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #16 for african american studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 12 african american studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $37,411 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
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Florida International University came in at #17 for african american studies this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 african american studies students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $52,517 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,349.
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Portland State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best african american studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Portland. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 african american studies degrees were awarded at Portland State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from Portland State University earn around $32,441 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
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Temple University placed #19 among the best african american studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 16 african american studies degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $26,260 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Georgia State University earned the #20 position for african american studies this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 22 african american studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgia State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $27,932. Georgia State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
