by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 362 U.S. colleges awarded 6,103 degrees and certificates in Area Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 59% of graduates. College Factual ranks 85 schools in its 2027 Best Area Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,815 one year after completing, rising to $62,342 after four years.
Would you like a major that you can tailor to your own interests? Majoring in area, ethnic, cultural, gender or group studies truly gives you the freedom to study what specifically interests you. In this major you can focus on history, society, politics, culture, and economics on the topic of your choice. You will critique and explore different societal norms such as ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, and social inequalities. Curriculum usually includes discussion and reflection on materials and hands-on activities. Depending on your focus, you may be interested in national or international government and policies.
The courses you will take include broad liberal arts based classes as well as specific and focused classes in your area of study. Your course load may include politics, international relations, literature of the subgroup, music/art/culture of the subgroup, religion, language, and history.
There are many different concentrations in this major. Students have a wide choice of specializations depending on their area of interest. That could be anything from the United States, Africa, Russia, China, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, African-Americans, Women, Folklore, Urban Studies or Disability Studies just to name a few.
Studying Area Studies covers Area Studies.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, area studies is a popular field of study, with 6,103 degrees awarded annually. 362 colleges award area studies degrees, an average of 17 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 708.
By level, the 6,103 awards include 23 certificates, 166 associate degrees, 3,618 bachelor’s degrees, 2,084 master’s degrees and 208 doctorates.
Women earned 61% of area studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (3,703 of 6,103). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,641) and Hispanic or Latino (1,095), and international students earned 813.
College Factual ranks 85 schools in its 2027 Best Area Studies Schools ranking, including 71 for bachelor’s degrees, 24 for master’s degrees and 3 for doctorates. It also ranks area studies schools within 30 states. In all, 362 colleges offer area studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Area Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common area studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 3,618 of the 6,103 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to area studies call most for Reading Comprehension, Instructing and Speaking, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Sociology and Anthropology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Expression, Oral Expression and Speech Clarity.
As a liberal arts major it is helpful to be a strong reader and a critical thinker. Students will also find it necessary to be able to think analytically and have good interpersonal skills. Communication is huge for an area studies major, as you will be completing many different research and writing assignments. Students should be passionate about their subject and possess cultural tolerance and a global awareness. It is also important to have an open mind and to be ready to see another person's point of view. This is a good major for someone who is excited to learn and interested in seeing the world through other another person's perspective.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an area studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 23 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 166 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,618 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,084 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 208 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to area studies, at 60.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 60.5% |
| Master’s degree | 31.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Area Studies, with an average median salary of $47,517; the strongest outlook belongs to Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, at 6.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Ethnic Origins Teacher, American Studies Professor, College Faculty Member and Adjunct Professor.
As an area studies major, you will be prepared for many different careers. By the time you graduate, you will possess skills that will allow you to effectively communicate with others, opening the doors for endless job possibilities. You may also choose to continue your education with a Master's Degree.
As ethnic, cultural and gender studies majors are found in a variety of careers, your earnings potential and likelihood of finding a job will vary.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to area studies, at 718,152.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
Area Studies graduates earn a median $37,815 one year after completing their program, $62,342 after four years and $64,509 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,815 |
| 4 years | $62,342 |
| 5 years | $64,509 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to area studies, with a median salary of $47,517.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
Area Studies includes 30 concentrations that together award 6,103 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are American/United States Studies/Civilization (1,217), Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) (785) and Asian Studies/Civilization (693). It has 2 similar majors in the Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies field, which together award 9,488 degrees a year; the largest are Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (9,441) and Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies, Other (47). Browse all Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 9,441 |
| Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies, Other | 47 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
