2026 Best Ethnic Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Ethnic Studies graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 656 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Duke University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Ethnic Studies graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Read more about Duke University
Miami University Oxford came in at #2 on this year's Ethnic Studies ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Oxford, OH. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Miami University Oxford Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $24,177 in debt. More on Miami University Oxford
The strong Ethnic Studies programs at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Out of the 656 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, George Washington University landed the #4 spot. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $22,910. Read more about George Washington University
A rank of #5 makes University Of Utah one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Read more about University Of Utah
University Of Iowa ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $26,500. Get the full University Of Iowa report
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Florida did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. 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 landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Colorado State University Fort Collins Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $22,843 in debt. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins
San Diego State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Set in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $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. More on San Diego State University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #11 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $14,802. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
Syracuse University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $22,903. Read more about Syracuse University
University Of Chicago did well this year, earning the #13 position. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. University Of Chicago Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
San Francisco State University did well this year, earning the #14 position. Based in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. San Francisco State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Read the full report on San Francisco State University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Based in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Depaul University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $27,000. Read more about Depaul University
Arizona State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $23,000. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of Connecticut ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Set in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $26,262. Read more about University Of Connecticut
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #19 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Based in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $26,000. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University
University Of Oregon placed #20 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Located in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. University Of Oregon Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Oregon
Utah State University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Read the full report on Utah State University
Portland State University landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Located in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $26,500. Get the full Portland State University report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Based in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $25,234. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
University Of Rhode Island came in at #24 in this year's ranking. University Of Rhode Island is a public school based in Kingston, RI. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $21,875. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $25,000. More on University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best Ethnic Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,730 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
California State University Sacramento did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. California State University Sacramento Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $18,120 in debt. Read the full report on California State University Sacramento
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #28 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Located in Durham, NH, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public institution. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $25,832. More on University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Glendale Community College Glendale Az did well this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Indiana University South Bend placed #30 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Indiana University South Bend report
University Of South Carolina Columbia did well this year, earning the #31 position. Read the full report on University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Read more about University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Brenau University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Brenau University report
El Camino Community College District placed #34 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. More on El Camino Community College District
Mercer University did well this year, earning the #35 position. More on Mercer University
Piedmont International University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Read more about Piedmont International University
University Of Alaska Anchorage did well this year, earning the #37 position. More on University Of Alaska Anchorage
Ithaca College
Ithaca College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Get the full Ithaca College report
University Of Redlands landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Redlands
De Anza College
De Anza College landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. More on De Anza College
George Mason University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Get the full George Mason University report
Leech Lake Tribal College placed #42 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Leech Lake Tribal College
Georgia Southwestern State University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. More on Georgia Southwestern State University
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College placed #44 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. More on Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. More on Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College
Cornell College
Cornell College placed #46 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Cornell College
Davidson College
Davidson College landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Davidson College
Solano Community College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Solano Community College report
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #49 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Estrella Mountain Community College
Carthage College
Carthage College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. See the full Carthage College profile
Related Ethnic Studies Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Ethnic Studies Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Ethnic Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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