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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Ethnic Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

6 Colleges in the United States
1,577 Ethnic Studies Degrees Awarded
$38,550 Avg Early-Career Salary

Ethnic Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 63 schools to find the best for ethnic studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Ethnic Studies in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall ethnic studies education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Ethnic Studies

1
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

Leading the list is University Of Kansas, our #1 school for ethnic studies. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $56,289 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608. See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Kansas

2

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best ethnic studies schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. 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. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $37,389 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full ethnic studies program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

3

Iowa State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent 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. Get the full ethnic studies details for Iowa State University

4

Washington University In St Louis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in ethnic studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 23 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Graduates of the ethnic studies program make about $16,635 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553. Read more about the ethnic studies program at Washington University In St Louis

5
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best ethnic studies schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Iowa awarded about 48 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, ethnic studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $34,216. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about the ethnic studies program at University Of Iowa

6

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #6 spot for ethnic studies this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. About 22 ethnic studies degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Ethnic Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $33,000 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,964 in student loans. Get the full ethnic studies details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

7

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #7 among the best ethnic studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 22 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $53,088 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,585. See the full ethnic studies program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

8

Haskell Indian Nations University earned the #8 position for ethnic studies this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public university. There were roughly 22 ethnic studies students who graduated with this degree at Haskell Indian Nations University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their ethnic studies degree from Haskell Indian Nations University earn around $23,887 in the first couple years of their career. See the full ethnic studies program report for Haskell Indian Nations University

9

Oglala Lakota College earned the #9 position for ethnic studies this year. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. The six-year graduation rate is 9%. Oglala Lakota College awarded about 53 ethnic studies degrees in the most recent data year. See the full ethnic studies program report for Oglala Lakota College

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Notes and References

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 · 63 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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