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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 681 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for ethnic studies students pursuing a degree.
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
The ethnic studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Ethnic Studies Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Ethnic 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 Ethnic Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
Best Schools for Ethnic Studies in the United States
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.
Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in ethnic studies. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 11 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $77,997 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at Vanderbilt University
University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 21 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of Chicago
Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 31 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Stanford University earn around $41,156 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
Get the full ethnic studies details for Stanford University
Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Purdue University Main Campus
Princeton University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 15 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
See the full ethnic studies program report for Princeton University
Wesleyan University earned the #6 position for ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Wesleyan University awarded about 19 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic 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.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at Wesleyan University
Yale University earned the #7 position for ethnic studies this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 45 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $32,624. Typical student debt for the program is $13,107.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at Yale University
University Of California Berkeley earned the #8 position for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 96 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $34,559 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,740 to complete this degree.
Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of California Berkeley
Harvard University earned the #9 position for ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 16 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
See the full ethnic studies program report for Harvard University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 21 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
See the full ethnic studies program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Georgia landed the #11 spot for ethnic studies this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 57 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $53,546 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792.
See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Georgia
Clemson University earned the #12 position for ethnic studies this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 10 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Clemson University earn around $53,834 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete this degree.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at Clemson University
San Jose State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best ethnic studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 25 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from San Jose State University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #14 spot for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Illinois State University landed the #15 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. There were roughly 14 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans.
Get the full ethnic studies details for Illinois State University
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #16 position for ethnic studies this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 12 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $34,197. Typical student debt for the program is $14,100.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
Dartmouth College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best ethnic studies schools. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $31,967 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,157.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Dartmouth College
University Of Utah placed #18 among the best ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Utah awarded about 51 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from University Of Utah earn around $60,527 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete this degree.
Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of Utah
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best ethnic studies schools. 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. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 46 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $32,341 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans.
Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Kansas earned the #20 position for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 34 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic 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.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from University Of Kansas
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #21 position for ethnic studies this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 26 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data 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
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #22 among the best ethnic studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 59 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $31,459 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,056.
Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Davis came in at #23 for ethnic studies this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 82 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $32,563 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in ethnic studies from University Of California Davis
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #24 spot for ethnic studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 1,343 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $37,389. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
Iowa State University placed #25 among the best ethnic studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 10 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Iowa State University earn around $53,900 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans.
See the full ethnic studies program report for Iowa State University
Rest of the Top 50 Ethnic Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for ethnic studies this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 681 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).
