ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Ethnic Studies Schools in Massachusetts

6 Colleges in the United States
114 Ethnic Studies Degrees Awarded
$45,706 Avg Early-Career Salary

Ethnic Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best ethnic studies schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 05.02), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Anthropology" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Anthropology" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in History" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "BA in History" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MA in History" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MA in History" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 0 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No ESYOH offers, checking direct offers

Best Schools for Ethnic Studies in Massachusetts

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

Top Schools in Ethnic Studies

1
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best school in the country for a degree in ethnic studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. About 16 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Harvard University

2

University Of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ethnic studies, ranking #2. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. About 22 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $53,543 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree. See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

3
Mount Holyoke College crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ethnic studies, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Mount Holyoke College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $35,038. Typical student debt for the program is $22,041. See the full ethnic studies program report for Mount Holyoke College

4
Amherst College crest
Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Amherst College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Amherst. About 94% of students finish within six years. Amherst College awarded about 12 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $40,120. Typical student debt for the program is $18,032. Get the full ethnic studies details for Amherst College

5

Brandeis University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in ethnic studies, ranking #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waltham. Brandeis University graduates 86% of students within six years. Brandeis University awarded about 13 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $35,057 in their early career. Brandeis University graduates carry a median of $24,226 in student loans. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Brandeis University

6
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College landed the #6 spot for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Smith College awarded about 20 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of Smith College earn a median of $19,105 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from Smith College

7

University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #7 spot for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $41,872 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,965. More information about a degree in ethnic studies from University Of Massachusetts Boston

ADBLOCK #173
View All Ethnic Studies Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 28 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options