Best colleges for Ethnic
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Ethnic by graduate earnings are Columbia University ($55,206), California State University - East Bay ($47,511) and American University ($46,206), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Columbia University (New York, NY): $55,206, 21 graduates a year
- California State University - East Bay (Hayward, CA): $47,511, 47 graduates a year
- American University (Washington, DC): $46,206, 22 graduates a year
- Stanford University (Stanford, CA): $41,156, 39 graduates a year
- Arizona State University Campus Immersion (Tempe, AZ): $40,719, 61 graduates a year
Compare 541 U.S. colleges offering Ethnic by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.
Ethnic programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,443 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 05.02 and the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC).
About Ethnic programs
The Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies program focuses on the study of differences related to race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. This interdisciplinary field examines how these identities intersect with power dynamics in society, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of cultural and social issues. It is ideal for individuals interested in social justice, advocacy, and cultural awareness.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework often includes studies in various specializations like African-American Studies, Women's Studies, and Gay/Lesbian Studies, equipping students with a broad knowledge base and practical skills applicable in diverse contexts.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,206 | 21 | 96% | $15,315 | $18,799 |
| 2 | California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,511 | 47 | 48% | — | $18,638 |
| 3 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,206 | 22 | 75% | $30,225 | $25,000 |
| 4 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,156 | 39 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 5 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,719 | 61 | 68% | — | $23,000 |
| 6 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,012 | 26 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 7 | University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,260 | 36 | 55% | — | $25,000 |
| 8 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,046 | 57 | 89% | — | $26,000 |
| 9 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,777 | 30 | 89% | — | $19,500 |
| 10 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,559 | 100 | 93% | — | $15,740 |
| 11 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,991 | 26 | 93% | — | $14,802 |
| 12 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,366 | 53 | 62% | — | $19,448 |
| 13 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,000 | 23 | 85% | — | $21,964 |
| 14 | Towson University Towson, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,740 | 20 | 69% | — | $22,250 |
| 15 | Yale University New Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,624 | 37 | 96% | $27,025 | $13,107 |
| 16 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,563 | 93 | 86% | — | $14,155 |
| 17 | Portland State University Portland, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,441 | 31 | 53% | — | $26,500 |
| 18 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,341 | 54 | 83% | — | $13,500 |
| 19 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,083 | 43 | 54% | — | $14,094 |
| 20 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,967 | 22 | 96% | $14,689 | $15,157 |
| 21 | Gallaudet University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,541 | 34 | 47% | $14,382 | $28,125 |
| 22 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,459 | 50 | 85% | — | $15,056 |
| 23 | University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,443 | 38 | 76% | — | $23,000 |
| 24 | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,140 | 107 | 75% | — | $19,747 |
| 25 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,001 | 64 | 50% | — | $17,875 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Certificate | $37,389 | 1,231 | 75% | — | $21,500 |
| 2 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Public · Certificate | $34,216 | 46 | 75% | — | $27,000 |
Specializations within Ethnic
12 of the 12 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 05.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesCIP 05.02992,170 graduates / yr127 institutions38 states
- Women's StudiesCIP 05.02072,141 graduates / yr300 institutions46 states
- African-American/CIP 05.0201
Black Studies 764 graduates / yr164 institutions40 states - Disability StudiesCIP 05.0210583 graduates / yr28 institutions17 states
- American Indian/CIP 05.0202
Native American Studies 528 graduates / yr87 institutions26 states - Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/CIP 05.0203
Chicano Studies 510 graduates / yr54 institutions16 states - Ethnic StudiesCIP 05.0200505 graduates / yr74 institutions16 states
- Deaf StudiesCIP 05.0211474 graduates / yr29 institutions17 states
- Asian-American StudiesCIP 05.0206129 graduates / yr16 institutions7 states
- Gay/CIP 05.0208
Lesbian Studies 75 graduates / yr17 institutions12 states - Folklore StudiesCIP 05.0209partial data60 graduates / yr8 institutions8 states
- Comparative Group StudiesCIP 05.0212New in CIP 2020partial data42 graduates / yr7 institutions7 states
Offered across 51 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Ethnic Studies program can pursue various careers in education, social services, and community advocacy. The job outlook is stable, with an annual growth rate of 1.7% and approximately 6,900 openings each year. The median wage for related positions is $59,440, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Ethnic
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 05.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 05.02 (Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1062 | Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-3091 | Interpreters and Translatorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Ethnic programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
- Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
- Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
Common questions
What is Ethnic Studies?+
Ethnic Studies is the study of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality, focusing on their impact on society and power dynamics.
What skills will I gain?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, active listening, and cultural awareness.
What careers can I pursue?+
Graduates can work in education, social services, and advocacy roles.
What is the job outlook?+
The job outlook shows a growth rate of 1.7% with about 6,900 annual openings.
How much do Ethnic graduates earn?+
Ethnic graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,443, College Scorecard (2019); the Interpreters and Translators occupation pays about $66,360 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Ethnic?+
Ethnic maps to CIP 05.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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