Women’s Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 67 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best women’s studies schools.
The school you choose for women’s studies can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Women’s Studies rankings. For our Best Overall Women’s Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Women’s Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
No school ranked higher than Purdue University Main Campus this year for women's studies. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Women's Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844.
See the full women's studies program report for Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in women's studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 14 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the women's studies program make about $53,666 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans.
See the full women's studies program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Students looking for a strong women's studies program will find one at Boston University, which ranked #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 15 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the women's studies program make about $63,598 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in women's studies from Boston University
Students looking for a strong women's studies program will find one at Wellesley College, which ranked #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wellesley. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 10 women's studies degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Women's Studies graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $43,926 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in women's studies from Wellesley College
Students looking for a strong women's studies program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #5. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the women's studies program make about $34,559 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,740 to complete this degree.
See the full women's studies program report for University Of California Berkeley
Yale University earned the #6 position for women's studies this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 10 women's studies degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Women's Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $32,624 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,107.
Get the full women's studies details for Yale University
University Of Georgia earned the #7 position for women's studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792.
Read more about the women's studies program at University Of Georgia
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #8 spot for women's studies this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 15 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the women's studies program make about $64,891 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree.
Get the full women's studies details for Texas A And M University College Station
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot for women's studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Students who receive their women's studies degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $32,341 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans.
See the full women's studies program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best women's studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 20 women's studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the women's studies program make about $33,991 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $14,802 in student loans.
Read more about the women's studies program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Illinois State University landed the #11 spot for women's studies this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 18 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year. Women's Studies graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,896.
Get the full women's studies details for Illinois State University
Emory University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best women's studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $67,840. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,610 in student loans.
See the full women's studies program report for Emory University
University Of Kansas earned the #13 position for women's studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 25 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their women's studies degree from University Of Kansas earn around $56,289 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans.
Get the full women's studies details for University Of Kansas
University Of Utah came in at #14 for women's studies this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Utah awarded about 31 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their women's studies degree from University Of Utah earn around $60,527 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans.
See the full women's studies program report for University Of Utah
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #15 for women's studies this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 15 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete this degree.
Read more about the women's studies program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #16 for women's studies this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 19 women's studies degrees in the most recent data year. Women's Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,574.
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Grinnell College earned the #17 position for women's studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Grinnell. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 14 women's studies degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $38,888. Grinnell College graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans.
See the full women's studies program report for Grinnell College
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for women's 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%. About 35 women's studies degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the women's studies program make about $49,736 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in women's studies from Ohio University Main Campus
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #19 among the best women's studies schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $31,459. Students borrow a median of $15,056 to complete this degree.
Read more about the women's studies program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #20 spot for women's studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 24 women's studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $31,140. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $19,747 in student loans.
More information about a degree in women's studies from University Of California Santa Cruz
Texas Tech University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best women's studies schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Women's Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans.
Read more about the women's studies program at Texas Tech University
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best women's studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 170 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates of the women's studies program make about $28,841 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans.
Read more about the women's studies program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Barnard College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best women's studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at Barnard College in the most recent data year. Women's Studies graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $50,790 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in women's studies from Barnard College
The University Of Alabama placed #24 among the best women's studies schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 13 women's studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, women's studies degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans.
Get the full women's studies details for The University Of Alabama
Arizona State University came in at #25 for women's studies this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 women's studies degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the women's studies program make about $40,719 in their early career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
Read more about the women's studies program at Arizona State University
Rest of the Top 50 Women’s Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for women’s studies this year:
Women’s Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
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 · 67 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).
