Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis 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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for cultural studies/critical theory & analysis students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis School
Where you study cultural studies/critical theory & analysis matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis 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.
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
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Best Schools for Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis 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 cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best school in the country for a degree in cultural studies/critical theory & analysis. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 67 cultural studies/critical theory & analysis students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
See the full cultural studies/critical theory & analysis program report for Harvard University
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for cultural studies/critical theory & analysis. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 14 cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cultural studies/critical theory & analysis program at Northwestern University
Students looking for a strong cultural studies/critical theory & analysis program will find one at Occidental College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Occidental College graduates 81% of students within six years. Occidental College awarded about 19 cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cultural studies/critical theory & analysis program make about $41,514 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,967 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cultural studies/critical theory & analysis program at Occidental College
Willamette University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cultural studies/critical theory & analysis, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degrees were awarded at Willamette University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degree recipients from Willamette University generally make around $41,892. Students borrow a median of $22,537 to complete this degree.
Get the full cultural studies/critical theory & analysis details for Willamette University
Students looking for a strong cultural studies/critical theory & analysis program will find one at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 14 cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $21,458. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans.
Get the full cultural studies/critical theory & analysis details for Northern Arizona University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best cultural studies/critical theory & analysis schools. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. There were roughly 22 cultural studies/critical theory & analysis students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $72,222 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cultural studies/critical theory & analysis from Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Suny Empire State College came in at #7 for cultural studies/critical theory & analysis this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. About 72 cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degrees were awarded at Suny Empire State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Typical student debt for the program is $23,693.
More information about a degree in cultural studies/critical theory & analysis from Suny Empire State College
University Of Sacred Heart placed #8 among the best cultural studies/critical theory & analysis schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santurce. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 13 cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degrees were awarded at University Of Sacred Heart in the most recent year. Students who receive their cultural studies/critical theory & analysis degree from University Of Sacred Heart earn around $24,742 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,493.
Read more about the cultural studies/critical theory & analysis program at University Of Sacred Heart
College Of Micronesia Fsm came in at #9 for cultural studies/critical theory & analysis this year. Based in Pohnpei, FM, College Of Micronesia Fsm is a public institution. There were roughly 17 cultural studies/critical theory & analysis students who graduated with this degree at College Of Micronesia Fsm in the most recent data year.
See the full cultural studies/critical theory & analysis program report for College Of Micronesia Fsm
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Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis Related Rankings by Major
Explore other rankings in majors related to Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis. See all related rankings.
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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 · 60 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).
