2027 Best Ethnic Studies Schools in Illinois
Ethnic Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their ethnic studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best ethnic studies schools.
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Best Schools for Ethnic Studies in Illinois
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.
Top Schools in Ethnic Studies
Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 19 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $81,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from University Of Chicago
Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 26 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Northwestern University earn around $39,012 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Get the full ethnic studies details for Northwestern University
Illinois 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 suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 18 ethnic studies degrees 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.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ethnic studies, ranking #4. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 13 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $32,856 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,402.
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A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the top schools for ethnic studies. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $33,366 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans.
See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago
Depaul University earned the #6 position for ethnic studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 28 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $18,029 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Depaul University
Northeastern Illinois University placed #7 among the best ethnic studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 17 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $30,614 in student loans.
Get the full ethnic studies details for Northeastern Illinois University
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Notes and References
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 · 7 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.