Acculturation among ethnic minority university students is a crucial issue in higher education in multi-ethnic countries, impacting student development, ethnic unity, and social harmony. It aligns with the core principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): “ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning for all.” This study employs a narrative literature review, systematically analyzing nine relevant articles published between 2020 and 2026, focusing on the current adaptation status, core influencing factors, and mechanisms of ethnic minority university students in cross-cultural environments. The study finds that acculturation among ethnic minority university students exhibits dynamic and contextual characteristics, primarily influenced by individual psychological traits, cultural differences, educational environment, and media use. Cultural identity integration, positive psychological capital, and media literacy enhancement are key pathways to promoting adaptation. Existing research still suffers from limitations such as insufficient localization of theoretical frameworks and a single research methodology. Future research should strengthen interdisciplinary studies and long-term follow-up surveys to provide a more solid empirical foundation for developing support policies that are both equitable and inclusive, thus contributing to the implementation of SDG goals in multi-ethnic higher education settings.