Ethnic Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 164 schools to find the best for ethnic studies students.
Where you study ethnic studies matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Ethnic 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Ethnic Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Ethnic 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 ethnic studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in ethnic studies. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at Duke University
Students looking for a strong ethnic studies program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
See the full ethnic studies program report for Vanderbilt University
University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best ethnic studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. About 19 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Chicago
Students looking for a strong ethnic studies program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 16 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $63,111 in their early career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
See the full ethnic studies program report for Purdue University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong ethnic studies program will find one at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $53,666 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete this degree.
See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Northwestern University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best ethnic studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 26 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $39,012 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Northwestern University
Boston University landed the #7 spot for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at Boston University
Princeton University placed #8 among the best ethnic studies schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Princeton University earn around $67,532 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
Get the full ethnic studies details for Princeton University
Tufts University placed #9 among the best ethnic studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Tufts University earn around $68,154 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Tufts University
Wesleyan University placed #10 among the best ethnic studies schools. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Wesleyan University
Wellesley College came in at #11 for ethnic studies this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Wellesley College graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Wellesley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $43,926 in their early career. Wellesley College graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at Wellesley College
University Of California Berkeley placed #12 among the best ethnic studies schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 100 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic 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.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of California Berkeley
Harvard University came in at #13 for ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Harvard University
Yale University placed #14 among the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Yale University earn around $32,624 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $13,107 in student loans.
See the full ethnic studies program report for Yale University
University Of Georgia landed the #15 spot for ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of Georgia
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #16 for ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree.
See the full ethnic studies program report for Texas A And M University College Station
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #17 spot for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 54 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $32,341 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,500.
See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #18 among the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $33,991 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,802 to complete this degree.
See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Michigan State University came in at #19 for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 18 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $54,166 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at Michigan State University
Dartmouth College placed #20 among the best ethnic studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $31,967. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $15,157 in student loans.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at Dartmouth College
University Of California Davis landed the #21 spot for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 93 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,563. Typical student debt for the program is $14,155.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of California Davis
San Jose State University came in at #22 for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 17 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
See the full ethnic studies program report for San Jose State University
Illinois State University earned the #23 position for ethnic studies this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 18 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete this degree.
Get the full ethnic studies details for Illinois State University
Emory University came in at #24 for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Emory University awarded about 16 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Emory University earn around $67,840 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,610 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Emory University
University Of Kansas landed the #25 spot for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 34 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of Kansas
Rest of the Top 50 Ethnic Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for ethnic studies this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 164 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).
