2026 Best Ethnic Studies Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best ethnic studies schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 31 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $41,156. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Stanford University

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 96 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent 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. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $15,740 in student loans. See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of California Berkeley

3

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ethnic studies, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Jose State University awarded about 25 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the ethnic studies program at San Jose State University

4

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 46 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $32,341 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree. See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

5

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

A rank of #5 makes University Of California Davis one of the top schools for ethnic studies. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Davis awarded about 82 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $32,563 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from University Of California Davis

6

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. About 108 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $31,140 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,747 to complete this degree. See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of California Santa Cruz

7

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #7 for ethnic studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $75,677 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from University Of Southern California

8

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #8 among the best ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree. Get the full ethnic studies details for California State University Fresno

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #9 among the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 166 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $37,581 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of California Los Angeles

10

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best ethnic studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. About 48% of students finish within six years. California State University East Bay awarded about 33 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $47,511 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,638. Read more about the ethnic studies program at California State University East Bay

11

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos landed the #11 spot for ethnic studies this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at California State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from California State University San Marcos earn around $48,726 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,527. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from California State University San Marcos

12

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #12 for ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 36 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $26,712. Typical student debt for the program is $18,998. See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of California Irvine

13

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University earned the #13 position for ethnic studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 28 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $35,263 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,187. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Sonoma State University

14

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #14 spot for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $30,984. Typical student debt for the program is $23,747. Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of California San Diego

15

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #15 spot for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $31,001. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from San Francisco State University

16

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #16 for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 59 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $27,726. Typical student debt for the program is $12,187. Read more about the ethnic studies program at California State University Long Beach

17

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 13 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $40,253 early in their careers. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $13,486 in student loans. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

18

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University came in at #18 for ethnic studies this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. Humboldt State University awarded about 14 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $30,844. Typical student debt for the program is $15,533. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Humboldt State University

19

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #19 spot for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 60 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Ethnic Studies graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $30,628 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,120 to complete this degree. Read more about the ethnic studies program at California State University Sacramento

20

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #20 position for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 21 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $25,305. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. See the full ethnic studies program report for California State University Fullerton

21

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #21 position for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 140 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $26,767. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from California State University Northridge

22

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #22 for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. About 37 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $31,443 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of California Riverside

23

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University earned the #23 position for ethnic studies this year. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 12 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $26,868. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $23,149 in student loans. Get the full ethnic studies details for Loyola Marymount University

24

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best ethnic studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Walnut. About 61 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Mt San Antonio College earn around $44,391 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Mt San Antonio College

25

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #25 position for ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from San Diego State University earn around $29,267 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,499 to complete this degree. Get the full ethnic studies details for San Diego State University