2026 Best Ethnic Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Ethnic Studies master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 656 colleges 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 reviewed schools to compile 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Brown University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $13,025. Read the full report on Brown University
Yale University came in at #2 on this year's Ethnic Studies ranking in the United States. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $13,107. See the full Yale University profile
You'll be in good company at Cornell University, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Read the full report on Cornell University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #4 on this year's Ethnic Studies ranking in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $18,799 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Out of the 656 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, George Washington University landed the #5 spot. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Read the full report on George Washington University
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #6 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $26,000. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #7 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Durant, OK. The six-year graduation rate is 32%. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. See the full Southeastern Oklahoma State University profile
Brandeis University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waltham, MA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Brandeis University Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $24,226 in debt. Read more about Brandeis University
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #9 position. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. 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. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $19,750. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Fort Collins, CO. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students 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. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
San Diego State University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $20,499. Get the full San Diego State University report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $21,964. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of California Davis came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Get the full University Of California Davis report
University Of Florida placed #14 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. University Of Florida Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $22,875 in debt. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of California San Diego came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,747 in student loans. See the full University Of California San Diego profile
University Of California Berkeley landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,740 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
University Of California Los Angeles placed #17 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
San Francisco State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Set in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. San Francisco State University Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $17,875 in debt. More on San Francisco State University
Depaul University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Located in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Depaul University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Get the full Depaul University report
Indiana University Bloomington did well this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Bloomington, IN. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $17,500. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
New York University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. More on New York University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $15,056. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
University Of California Irvine ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $18,998. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
University Of California Santa Cruz did well this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Santa Cruz, CA. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $19,747. Read more about University Of California Santa Cruz
Suny At Albany landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Albany, NY, Suny At Albany is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $26,000. Get the full Suny At Albany report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Ethnic Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Utah State University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. More on Utah State University
Arizona State University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $23,000. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public school based in Honolulu, HI. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. More on University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #29 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $22,056. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Arizona landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $25,219. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Eastern Michigan University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,990. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $28,781. Read more about Eastern Michigan University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #32 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school based in Amherst, MA. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical Ethnic Studies student debt is $25,234. Read the full report on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Oregon landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Set in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. University Of Oregon Ethnic Studies students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read more about University Of Oregon
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #34 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Graduates carry a median of $19,448 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Chicago
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #36 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tampa, FL. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Read more about University Of South Florida Main Campus
California State University Northridge came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. See the full California State University Northridge profile
University Of California Riverside ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Set in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $23,000. See the full University Of California Riverside profile
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #39 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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. Get the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee did well this year, earning the #40 position. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $25,730 to complete their Ethnic Studies program here. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. This public school is set in Boston, MA. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. The median Ethnic Studies program debt is $26,965. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Boston
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #42 in this year's ranking. See the full Glendale Community College Glendale Az profile
Santa Ana College placed #43 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Santa Ana College report
Carleton College
Carleton College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Ethnic Studies schools. Read more about Carleton College
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Get the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota report
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Get the full The University Of Texas At San Antonio report
Kenyon College
Kenyon College landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Kenyon College
Trinity College
Trinity College landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. See the full Trinity College profile
Northeastern Illinois University placed #49 among Ethnic Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Northeastern Illinois University
University Of Dayton did well this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on University Of Dayton
Related Ethnic Studies Rankings
See rankings for 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 Graduate Certificate 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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