College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Ethnic Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

22 Colleges in the United States
1,175 Ethnic Studies Degrees Awarded
$45,744 Avg Early-Career Salary

Ethnic Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their ethnic studies programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools to find the best for ethnic studies students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Ethnic Studies in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall ethnic studies education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Ethnic Studies

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Chicago this year for ethnic studies. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish 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. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of Chicago

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 16 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Purdue University Main Campus

3

A rank of #3 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 26 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $39,012. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Get the full ethnic studies details for Northwestern University

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for ethnic studies. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 26 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $33,991. Students borrow a median of $14,802 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. 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. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Michigan State University

6

Illinois State University landed the #6 spot for ethnic studies this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 18 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $49,660 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete this degree. Get the full ethnic studies details for Illinois State University

7

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #7 for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 87 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $58,659 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete this degree. Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

8

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #8 among the best ethnic studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 24 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $49,911 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete this degree. Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

9

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for ethnic studies this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 75 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $49,736 in their early career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Ohio University Main Campus

10

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #10 among the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 566 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $28,841 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

11

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #11 position for ethnic studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 18 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $50,590 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,619. See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

12

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #12 spot for ethnic studies this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates 63% of students within six years. About 18 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. Typical student debt for the program is $25,306. See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

13
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #13 spot for ethnic studies this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. Central Michigan University awarded about 23 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Central Michigan University

14

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #14 spot for ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 35 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $68,501 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Indiana University Bloomington

15

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #15 for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 13 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $32,856 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $23,402 in student loans. Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

16

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best ethnic studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Stevens Point. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates 56% of students within six years. About 18 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent year. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,256 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,161. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

17

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #17 spot for ethnic studies this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 53 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $33,366 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans. Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

18
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #18 position for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $18,029. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full ethnic studies details for Depaul University

19

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #19 spot for ethnic studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee awarded about 27 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn around $29,887 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,730. Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

20

Sinclair Community College placed #20 among the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. About 26 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Sinclair Community College in the most recent year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Sinclair Community College graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Get the full ethnic studies details for Sinclair Community College

21
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best ethnic studies schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. About 24 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Stark State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Stark State College earn around $42,724 in the first couple years of their career. Stark State College graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Get the full ethnic studies details for Stark State College

22

Northeastern Illinois University earned the #22 position for ethnic studies this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. About 22% of students finish within six years. About 17 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $49,254 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,614. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Northeastern Illinois University

Narrow Ethnic Studies Schools by State

View All Ethnic Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 22 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options