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2027 Best Ethnic Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

18 Colleges in the United States
467 Ethnic Studies Degrees Awarded
$46,106 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for ethnic studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Ethnic Studies in the Southeast Region

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

Top Schools in Ethnic Studies

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in ethnic studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 32 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Duke University earn around $83,388 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. See the full ethnic studies program report for Duke University

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #2 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for ethnic studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. Get the full ethnic studies details for Vanderbilt University

3

University Of Georgia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ethnic studies, ranking #3. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 42 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $53,546 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree. Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of Georgia

4
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Students looking for a strong ethnic studies program will find one at Emory University, which ranked #4. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Emory University 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

5

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ethnic studies, ranking #5. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 14 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $26,342 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,870. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

6

Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best ethnic studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. About 86% of students finish within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 27 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $53,507 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete this degree. See the full ethnic studies program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana

7

The University Of Alabama ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best ethnic studies schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. The University Of Alabama awarded about 19 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Typical student debt for the program is $24,496. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from The University Of Alabama

8
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #8 among the best ethnic studies schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from University Of Florida earn around $26,198 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete this degree. Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of Florida

9
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University earned the #9 position for ethnic studies this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Western Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Western Kentucky University graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Western Kentucky University

10

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #10 among the best ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 14 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $37,411 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

11

Florida International University earned the #11 position for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $52,517 in their early career. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Get the full ethnic studies details for Florida International University

12

Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #12 position for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $29,607 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Virginia Commonwealth University

13

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #13 among the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro awarded about 20 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $29,723 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,210 to complete this degree. Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

14

University Of Louisville came in at #14 for ethnic studies this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. University Of Louisville graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $29,990. Typical student debt for the program is $32,181. Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of Louisville

15
Spelman College crest
Spelman College
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College placed #15 among the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Spelman College awarded about 52 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Spelman College earn around $28,080 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full ethnic studies program report for Spelman College

16

Georgia State University came in at #16 for ethnic studies this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 50 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgia State University in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $27,932 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. See the full ethnic studies program report for Georgia State University

17

University Of Memphis came in at #17 for ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $32,000 to complete this degree. See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Memphis

18

Piedmont International University came in at #18 for ethnic studies this year. Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Piedmont International University graduates 21% of students within six years. Piedmont International University awarded about 12 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Piedmont International University earn a median of $61,421 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,154 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Piedmont International University

View All Ethnic Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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