by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Arctic Studies covers A Program That Focuses On The History, Society, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of The Arctic Region. Continue reading for the key facts every arctic studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering arctic studies programs.
Studies in Arctic Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations arctic studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a arctic studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a arctic studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
People currently working in careers related to arctic studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in arctic studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in arctic studies prepares you for many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to arctic studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to arctic studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of arctic studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,815 |
| 4 years | $54,317 |
| 5 years | $64,382 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for arctic studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers arctic studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
Use our unbiased arctic studies school rankings to find the best fit for you.
Those considering arctic studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| American/United States Studies/Civilization | 1,156 |
| Asian Studies/Civilization | 705 |
| Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) | 680 |
| Area Studies, Other | 630 |
| East Asian Studies | 581 |
| Latin American Studies | 498 |
| Near and Middle Eastern Studies | 317 |
| African Studies | 209 |
| French Studies | 143 |
| Russian Studies | 124 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
