by our College Data Analytics TeamDispute Resolution was the 296th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 648 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 53 over the prior year, a growth of 8.2%.
This year's Best Dispute Resolution Schools ranking compares 8 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom dispute resolution rankings further below.
Dispute Resolution majors are found most commonly in careers in which giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is important. Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences and talking to others to convey information effectively are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most dispute resolution degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific dispute resolution careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different dispute resolution degree levels. Dispute Resolution programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest dispute resolution degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a dispute resolution degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to dispute resolution, with approximately 27.0% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for dispute resolution workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 25.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 19.2% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 14.9% |
| High School Diploma | 10.7% |
| First Professional Degree | 8.5% |
75.0% of dispute resolution workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in dispute resolution have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the dispute resolution career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your dispute resolution degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dispute resolution.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Relations Specialists | 74,800 | -7.8% |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | 8,700 | 11.5% |
Recently graduated dispute resolution students earned an average of $50,878 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $23,782 to as high as $68,397. As you might expect, salaries for dispute resolution graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for dispute resolution graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers dispute resolution grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $72,760 |
| Labor Relations Specialists | $70,730 |
With over 58 different dispute resolution degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased dispute resolution school rankings to help you with this.
Dispute Resolution is one of 44 different types of Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 34,975 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,075 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,074 |
| International Studies | 7,368 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,330 |
