2026 Best Ethnic Studies Schools
Looking for the best Ethnic Studies programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 656 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Ethnic Studies Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 Ethnic Studies school in the United States. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $10,492. See the full Stanford University profile
A rank of #2 makes Bowdoin College one of the top choices in the United States. Bowdoin College is a private not-for-profit school based in Brunswick, ME. Bowdoin College posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,832. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $20,658. Get the full Bowdoin College report
A rank of #3 makes Duke University one of the top choices in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $13,296. Get the full Duke University report
You'll be in good company at Wellesley College, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Wellesley, MA, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Read more about Wellesley College
You'll be in good company at Georgetown University, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Georgetown University Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $17,000 in debt. Read more about Georgetown University
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public school based in Duluth, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. University Of Minnesota Duluth Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $24,624 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Duluth
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #7 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
Williams College placed #8 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Located in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Williams College graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $12,615. Read the full report on Williams College
Brown University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. More on Brown University
Barnard College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Barnard College is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Barnard College posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. More on Barnard College
Dartmouth College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Based in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,019. Dartmouth College Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $15,157 in debt. Get the full Dartmouth College report
Amherst College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Amherst, MA, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,480. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $18,032. Read more about Amherst College
Yale University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $13,107. Read the full report on Yale University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $18,799. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #15 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,100 in student loans. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Cornell University placed #17 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Cornell University Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. Read the full report on Cornell University
Miami University Oxford placed #18 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Set in Oxford, OH, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Graduates carry a median of $24,177 in student loans. Get the full Miami University Oxford report
Colorado College placed #19 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Colorado Springs, CO. Colorado College graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,734. Colorado College Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $17,921 in debt. Read more about Colorado College
Wheaton College Massachusetts placed #20 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Based in Norton, MA, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit institution. Wheaton College Massachusetts posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. In-state tuition and fees average $63,960. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $25,000. Get the full Wheaton College Massachusetts report
Colgate University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hamilton, NY. Colgate University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,306. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $16,286. Get the full Colgate University report
Emory University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Emory University Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $19,610 in debt. Read the full report on Emory University
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $19,750 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
George Washington University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Read more about George Washington University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Ethnic Studies Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Middlebury College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit school based in Middlebury, VT. Middlebury College graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,600. Middlebury College Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $15,948 in debt. More on Middlebury College
New York University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. New York University Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. See the full New York University profile
Tufts University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. Tufts University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $17,074. Read the full report on Tufts University
Iowa State University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Read the full report on Iowa State University
Carleton College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Based in Northfield, MN, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. See the full Carleton College profile
St Olaf College landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Located in Northfield, MN, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. St Olaf College posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,760. Students borrow a median of $23,480 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. More on St Olaf College
Brandeis University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Located in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brandeis University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Graduates carry a median of $24,226 in student loans. See the full Brandeis University profile
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Durant, OK, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a public institution. Roughly 32% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Read the full report on Southeastern Oklahoma State University
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #34 position. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. University Of California Davis Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $14,155 in debt. Get the full University Of California Davis report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #35 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,870 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
University Of Utah did well this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Utah
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #37 position. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $26,500. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
Trinity College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hartford, CT. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,770. Trinity College Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $23,667 in debt. More on Trinity College
University Of Florida landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. University Of Florida Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $22,875 in debt. See the full University Of Florida profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #40 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Fort Collins, CO. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Colorado State University Fort Collins Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $22,843 in debt. Read more about Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,056 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
San Diego State University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Based in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. San Diego State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. San Diego State University Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $20,499 in debt. Read more about San Diego State University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #43 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $21,964 in debt. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #44 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Santa Barbara, CA. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. More on University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Delaware landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $25,000. More on University Of Delaware
Fordham University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Located in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $64,470 in tuition and fees. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $25,643. More on Fordham University
University Of California Berkeley placed #47 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $15,740. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Grand Valley State University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Located in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,814 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. More on Grand Valley State University
University Of Richmond placed #49 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Located in University of Richmond, VA, University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,230. University Of Richmond Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $21,634 in debt. Read more about University Of Richmond
Connecticut College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Set in New London, CT, Connecticut College is a private not-for-profit institution. Connecticut College graduates 82% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,242 in tuition and fees. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $23,807. More on Connecticut College
Best Ethnic Studies Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Ethnic Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Ethnic Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Ethnic Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Ethnic Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Ethnic Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Ethnic Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Ethnic Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 656 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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