African American Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 228 schools to find the best for african american studies students.
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Choosing a Great African American Studies School
The african american studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for African American Studies rankings. For our Best Overall African American Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best African American Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 school for african american studies. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 15 african american studies degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from Princeton University earn around $67,532 in the first couple years of their career. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans.
Read more about the african american studies program at Princeton University
Students looking for a strong african american studies program will find one at Wesleyan University, which ranked #2. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 african american studies degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete this degree.
Get the full african american studies details for Wesleyan University
Yale University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Yale University awarded about 17 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $32,624 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,107 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in african american studies from Yale University
University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in african american studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 african american studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $34,559. Students borrow a median of $15,740 to complete this degree.
See the full african american studies program report for University Of California Berkeley
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in african american studies, ranking #5. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 10 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in african american studies from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #6 spot for african american studies this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 12 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $34,197 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,100.
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University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot for african american studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 african american studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $28,841 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750.
More information about a degree in african american studies from University Of Wisconsin Madison
Amherst College landed the #8 spot for african american studies this year. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 11 african american studies degrees were awarded at Amherst College in the most recent year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from Amherst College earn around $40,120 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,032 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Los Angeles placed #9 among the best african american studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 african american studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $37,581 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
See the full african american studies program report for University Of California Los Angeles
San Francisco State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best african american studies schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 12 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year. African American Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $31,001 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,875.
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The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best african american studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 12 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $37,046 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the african american studies program at The University Of Texas At Austin
Florida International University earned the #12 position for african american studies this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. Florida International University awarded about 13 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the african american studies program make about $52,517 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete this degree.
Read more about the african american studies program at Florida International University
California State University Northridge earned the #13 position for african american studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 17 african american studies degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, african american studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $26,767. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
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Howard University landed the #14 spot for african american studies this year. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Howard University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 14 african american studies degrees were awarded at Howard University in the most recent year. African American Studies graduates of Howard University earn a median of $58,495 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in african american studies from Howard University
Suny At Albany landed the #15 spot for african american studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. Suny At Albany graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 african american studies students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from Suny At Albany earn around $29,823 in the first couple years of their career. Suny At Albany graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
See the full african american studies program report for Suny At Albany
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #16 for african american studies this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 12 african american studies degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $37,411 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
More information about a degree in african american studies from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Temple University landed the #17 spot for african american studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 21 african american studies degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. African American Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $26,260 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Georgia State University earned the #18 position for african american studies this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Georgia State University graduates 53% of students within six years. Georgia State University awarded about 23 african american studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their african american studies degree from Georgia State University earn around $27,932 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 228 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).
