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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Ethnic Studies Schools in New York

12 Colleges in the United States
335 Ethnic Studies Degrees Awarded
$34,557 Avg Early-Career Salary

Ethnic Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 schools to find the best for ethnic studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Ethnic Studies in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall ethnic studies education in New York.

Top Schools in Ethnic Studies

1

Leading the list is Cuny Graduate School And University Center, our #1 school for ethnic studies. This large public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 135 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $51,133 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. See the full ethnic studies program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

2

Students looking for a strong ethnic studies program will find one at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #2. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 17 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $55,206. Students borrow a median of $18,799 to complete this degree. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

3
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the top schools for ethnic studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 18 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,007. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Get the full ethnic studies details for Cuny Hunter College

4

Students looking for a strong ethnic studies program will find one at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #4. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $32,083. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates carry a median of $14,094 in student loans. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Cuny Brooklyn College

5
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Students looking for a strong ethnic studies program will find one at Syracuse University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Syracuse University earn around $18,854 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,903. Get the full ethnic studies details for Syracuse University

6
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School came in at #6 for ethnic studies this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The New School awarded about 12 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from The New School earn around $38,468 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,460. Read more about the ethnic studies program at The New School

7
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #7 position for ethnic studies this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. About 61% of students finish within six years. Suny At Albany awarded about 30 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $29,823 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full ethnic studies details for Suny At Albany

8

Suny College At Brockport landed the #8 spot for ethnic studies this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 11 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Suny College At Brockport in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $39,724. Students borrow a median of $26,672 to complete this degree. See the full ethnic studies program report for Suny College At Brockport

9

State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 12 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent year. Ethnic Studies graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $23,751 early in their careers. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from State University Of New York At New Paltz

10
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College placed #10 among the best ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny City College awarded about 12 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $26,973. Students borrow a median of $20,532 to complete this degree. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Cuny City College

11

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #11 for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 14 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,794. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 52 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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