by our College Data Analytics Team
[Ethnic Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a ethnic studies degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying ethnic studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send ethnic studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Wheaton College Massachusetts earned the #1 spot for highest-paid ethnic studies graduates in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career ethnic studies graduates from Wheaton College Massachusetts make a median of around $63,918 per year.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the highest-paying schools for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Early-career ethnic studies graduates from University Of Massachusetts Amherst make a median of around $63,903 per year.
Mount Holyoke College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in ethnic studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Mount Holyoke College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. After graduating, ethnic studies degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College typically earn about $54,357 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Wellesley College one of the highest-paying schools for ethnic studies. Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Ethnic Studies graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of about $60,668 a year early in their careers.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in ethnic studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career ethnic studies graduates from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus make a median of around $56,495 per year.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #6 spot for ethnic studies salaries this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. Students who complete the ethnic studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,839.
Amherst College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for ethnic studies. Amherst College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Students who complete the ethnic studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,120.
University Of Connecticut earned the #8 position for ethnic studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Connecticut is a public school located in the town of Storrs. Early-career ethnic studies graduates from University Of Connecticut make a median of around $39,343 per year.
Brandeis University came in at #9 for ethnic studies graduate earnings this year. Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Early-career ethnic studies graduates from Brandeis University make a median of around $35,057 per year.
Yale University came in at #10 for ethnic studies graduate earnings this year. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. After graduating, ethnic studies degree recipients from Yale University typically earn about $32,624 annually.
Dartmouth College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying ethnic studies schools. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career ethnic studies graduates from Dartmouth College make a median of around $31,967 per year.
Smith College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying ethnic studies schools. Smith College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Students who complete the ethnic studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,924.
University Of Rhode Island ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying ethnic studies schools. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. Students who complete the ethnic studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,181.
Brown University earned the #14 position for ethnic studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career ethnic studies graduates from Brown University make a median of around $17,527 per year.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their ethnic studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 14 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.