Best institutions to study Ethnic Studies
A program that focuses on the interdisciplinary and comparative study of the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of North American racial and ethnic groups, including African Americans, American Indians/Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans.
74 U.S. institutions graduated 505 Ethnic Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 05.0200, a specialization of Ethnic (CIP 05.02), and leads most directly to the Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1062).
About Ethnic Studies programs
A program that focuses on the interdisciplinary and comparative study of the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of North American racial and ethnic groups, including African Americans, American Indians/Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans.
See also: 30.2301 - Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies., 30.3601 - Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Ethnic Studies program offers an interdisciplinary examination of the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of various North American racial and ethnic groups, including African Americans, American Indians/Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the complexities of race and ethnicity in contemporary society and fostering a more inclusive worldview.
Students in the Ethnic Studies program develop core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives, equipping graduates with a well-rounded understanding of societal dynamics.
Credentials awarded
What Ethnic Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree190 graduates / yr · 25 institutions38%
- Associate's degree167 graduates / yr · 38 institutions33%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year118 graduates / yr · 13 institutions23%
- Master's degree16 graduates / yr · 4 institutions3.2%
- Post-master's certificate8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate4 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Ethnic Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 272 |
| 2013 | 243 |
| 2014 | 238 |
| 2015 | 240 |
| 2016 | 258 |
| 2017 | 259 |
| 2018 | 364 |
| 2019 | 404 |
| 2020 | 454 |
| 2021 | 586 |
| 2022 | 605 |
| 2023 | 446 |
| 2024 | 457 |
| 2025 | 505 |
Top 50 institutions for Ethnic Studies, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 57 | 40% | — | — |
| 2 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 44 | 93% | — | $34,559 |
| 3 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor's | 36 | 75% | — | $31,140 |
| 4 | Ohlone College Fremont, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 52% | — | — |
| 5 | San Diego City College San Diego, CAPublicAssociate's | 21 | 30% | — | — |
| 6 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAssociate's | 16 | 24% | — | — |
| 7 | Los Angeles Mission College Sylmar, CAPublicAssociate's | 15 | 20% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster'sMaster's | 15 | 72% | — | — |
| 9 | Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 32% | — | — |
| 10 | College of San Mateo San Mateo, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 61% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor's | 14 | 74% | — | — |
| 12 | De Anza College Cupertino, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 11 | 68% | — | — |
| 13 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 96% | $15,315 | $55,206 |
| 14 | Rio Hondo College Whittier, CAPublicAssociate's | 9 | 25% | — | — |
| 15 | Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara, CAPublicAssociate's | 9 | 34% | — | — |
| 16 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 36% | — | — |
| 17 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 8 | 54% | — | — |
| 18 | University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 51% | $21,745 | — |
| 19 | Sacramento City College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate's | 7 | 33% | — | — |
| 20 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor's | 7 | 67% | — | — |
| 21 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 96% | $14,644 | $17,527 |
| 22 | University of California - Merced Merced, CAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 69% | — | — |
| 23 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicMaster's | 6 | 55% | — | $38,260 |
| 24 | Texas Southern University Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 6 | 22% | — | — |
| 25 | Cuyamaca College El Cajon, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 5 | 41% | — | — |
| 26 | College of the Desert Palm Desert, CAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 31% | — | — |
| 27 | Fullerton College Fullerton, CAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 34% | — | — |
| 28 | University of San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 84% | $26,035 | — |
| 29 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 88% | $44,094 | — |
| 30 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 5 | 46% | — | $37,621 |
| 31 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MNPublicBachelor's | 5 | 44% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 51% | — | — |
| 33 | Cabrillo College Aptos, CAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 38% | — | — |
| 34 | Contra Costa College San Pablo, CAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 28% | — | — |
| 35 | El Camino Community College District Torrance, CAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 42% | — | — |
| 36 | Laney College Oakland, CAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 31% | — | — |
| 37 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 4 | 30% | — | — |
| 38 | Los Angeles City College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 29% | — | — |
| 39 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 35% | — | — |
| 40 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAssociate's | 4 | 48% | — | — |
| 41 | San Diego Mesa College San Diego, CAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 35% | — | — |
| 42 | Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 70% | $25,578 | — |
| 43 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 44 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 71% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicMaster's | 3 | 49% | — | $41,872 |
| 46 | St Olaf College Northfield, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 84% | $18,124 | $28,288 |
| 47 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 3 | 64% | — | — |
| 48 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 3 | 89% | — | $37,046 |
| 49 | Butte College Oroville, CAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 45% | — | — |
| 50 | Chabot College Hayward, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 47% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Ethnic field (CIP 05.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 16 states
Where Ethnic Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Ethnic programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 45 | 371 | City College of San Francisco57 / yr |
| Colorado | 4 | 28 | University of Colorado Boulder14 / yr |
| Oregon | 4 | 19 | University of Oregon15 / yr |
| Texas | 4 | 18 | University of the Incarnate Word8 / yr |
| Minnesota | 3 | 16 | Minnesota State University - Mankato8 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 13 | Columbia University in the City of New York11 / yr |
| New Mexico | 2 | 7 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus6 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 7 | Brown University7 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 5 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus3 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 5 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point5 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 4 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College4 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 3 | University of Chicago3 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 3 | Kansas State University3 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 3 | University of Massachusetts - Boston3 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 2 | Albion College2 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 1 | Montgomery College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1062, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Ethnic Studies program can pursue careers as Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook for this field is projected to grow by 2.4%, with about 1,100 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is approximately $84,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 05.0200
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1062 | $85,020 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Ethnic Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Tools and technology used
Other Ethnic specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Ethnic (CIP 05.02).
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesCIP 05.02992,170 graduates / yr127 institutions
- Women's StudiesCIP 05.02072,141 graduates / yr300 institutions
- African-American/CIP 05.0201
Black Studies 764 graduates / yr164 institutions - Disability StudiesCIP 05.0210583 graduates / yr28 institutions
- American Indian/CIP 05.0202
Native American Studies 528 graduates / yr87 institutions - Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/CIP 05.0203
Chicano Studies 510 graduates / yr54 institutions - Deaf StudiesCIP 05.0211474 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Asian-American StudiesCIP 05.0206129 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Gay/CIP 05.0208
Lesbian Studies 75 graduates / yr17 institutions - Folklore StudiesCIP 05.0209partial data60 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Comparative Group StudiesCIP 05.0212partial data42 graduates / yr7 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Ethnic Studies?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Ethnic Studies?+
You can pursue a career as a postsecondary teacher in area, ethnic, and cultural studies.
What is the job outlook for careers in Ethnic Studies?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a projected growth of 2.4% and approximately 1,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Ethnic Studies?+
Ethnic Studies is CIP 05.0200 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Ethnic (CIP 05.02). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the interdisciplinary and comparative study of the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of North American racial and ethnic groups, including African Americans, American Indians/Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans.
How many institutions offer Ethnic Studies programs?+
74 U.S. institutions reported Ethnic Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 16 states, awarding 505 credentials in the year. That is 6.3% of all Ethnic graduates.
How much do Ethnic Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Ethnic Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $85,020 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Ethnic field report median earnings of $37,046 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card