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Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California

114 Colleges
$28,622 Avg Salary
$17,755 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Ethnic Studies School for You

Ethnic Studies is the #49 most popular major in California with 2,662 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 114 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Ethnic Studies program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for ethnic studies majors pursuing a .

Our analysis found University of California - Los Angeles to be the most popular school for ethnic studies students who want to pursue a degree in California. UCLA is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles.

Ethnic Studies majors at UCLA take out an average of $16,834 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $118.

Full Ethnic Studies at University of California - Los Angeles Report

Out of the 114 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Northridge, CSUN is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, ethnic studies graduates from CSUN take out $18,562 in student loans while working on their degree.

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The excellent programs at University of California - Davis helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best ethnic studies schools in California. UC Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis.

While working on their degree, ethnic studies majors at UC Davis accumulate an average of around $13,329 in student debt.

Full Ethnic Studies at University of California - Davis Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Cruz. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California list. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, UC Santa Cruz is a public school with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that ethnic studies majors at UC Santa Cruz take out is $19,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $212, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Ethnic Studies at University of California - Santa Cruz Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California list. UC Berkeley is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley.

After completing their degree, ethnic studies graduates from UC Berkeley carry an average student debt load of $17,493.

Full Ethnic Studies at University of California - Berkeley Report

#6

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Ethnic Studies majors at SFSU take out an average of $17,750 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $201.

Full Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University Report

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California ranking. UCSB is a fairly large public school located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara.

The average amount in student loans that ethnic studies majors at UCSB take out is $13,950.

Read full report on Ethnic Studies at University of California - Santa Barbara

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for ethnic studies students. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, ethnic studies graduates from Sac State take out $17,750 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Ethnic Studies at California State University - Sacramento Report

California State University - Long Beach came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California ranking. CSULB is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach.

Ethnic Studies majors at CSULB take out an average of $16,650 in student loans while working on their egree.

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University of California - Irvine did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for ethnic studies students. It came in at #10 on the list. UC Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine.

While working on their degree, ethnic studies majors at UC Irvine accumulate an average of around $19,500 in student debt.

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#11

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California list. Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, ethnic studies graduates from SDSU take out $18,549 in student loans while working on their degree.

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California State University - Los Angeles ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California list. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Cal State LA is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Ethnic Studies at California State University - Los Angeles

California State University - Fresno landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular ethnic studies programs. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

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University of California - Riverside ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California list. UCR is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside.

After completing their degree, ethnic studies graduates from UCR carry an average student debt load of $22,412.

Full Ethnic Studies at University of California - Riverside Report

#15

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California ranking. SSU is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park.

After completing their degree, ethnic studies graduates from SSU carry an average student debt load of $20,000.

Read More…

#15

City College of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

City College of San Francisco came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College of San Francisco is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Ethnic Studies at City College of San Francisco

California State University - Fullerton came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton.

After completing their degree, ethnic studies graduates from Cal State Fullerton carry an average student debt load of $19,000.

Full Ethnic Studies at California State University - Fullerton Report

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Ethnic Studies Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
18 Mt. San Antonio College Walnut, CA
19 University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA
20 Sierra College Rocklin, CA
21 Stanford University Stanford, CA
22 Claremont Graduate University Claremont, CA
22 San Jose State University San Jose, CA

Best Ethnic Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Ethnic Studies Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 185
Oregon 133
Nevada 31
Hawaii 153
Alaska 11

Ethnic Studies is one of 2 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Area Studies 6,966
Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies (Other) 46

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to G. MГјtzel.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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