This study examined the influence of sex and racial discrimination on academic alienation among Iranian university students. Two groups of 60 girls (30 Turkish and 30 Persian) and 60 boys (30 Turkish and 30 Persian) were sampled through multi-stage cluster sampling from among first-year Tabriz University students in Tabriz, Iran. All participants, between 18 and 22, were asked to respond on an academic alienation questionnaire. The findings of a two-way ANOVA revealed that girls and Turkish speakers had higher levels of academic alienation compared to boys and Persian speakers. An investigation of interactional effects indicated that Turkish girls demonstrated the highest levels of academic alienation, with no significant effects in the powerlessness dimension. Finally, the effects of the factors relevant to academic alienation (e.g. racism and sexism) were discussed.