by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 66 U.S. colleges awarded 620 degrees and certificates in Area Studies, Other. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 80% of graduates. College Factual ranks 10 schools in its 2027 Best Area Studies, Other 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.
A major in Area Studies, Other covers Area Studies, Other. Any Instructional Program In Specifically Defined Area Studies Not Listed Above.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, area studies, other is a widely-pursued major, with 620 degrees awarded annually. 66 colleges award area studies, other degrees, an average of 9 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 121.
By level, the 620 awards include 41 associate degrees, 493 bachelor’s degrees, 81 master’s degrees and 5 doctorates.
Women earned 72% of area studies, other degrees and certificates in the latest year (445 of 620). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (304) and Hispanic or Latino (103), and international students earned 47.
College Factual ranks 10 schools in its 2027 Best Area Studies, Other Schools ranking, including 9 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks area studies, other schools within 6 states. In all, 66 colleges offer area studies, other programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Area Studies, Other Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common area studies, other credential is the bachelor’s degree: 493 of the 620 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to area studies, other 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 Oral Expression, Written Expression and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an area studies, other degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 41 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 493 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 81 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to area studies, other, 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, Other, 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, Gender Studies Lecturer, Assistant Professor and Hawaiian Studies Lecturer.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to area studies, other, at 718,152.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
Area Studies, Other 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, other, with a median salary of $47,517.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
Area Studies, Other has 29 similar majors in the Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies field, which together award 5,483 degrees a year; the largest are American/United States Studies/Civilization (1,217), Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) (785) and Asian Studies/Civilization (693). Browse all Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| American/United States Studies/Civilization | 1,217 |
| Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) | 785 |
| Asian Studies/Civilization | 693 |
| East Asian Studies | 559 |
| Latin American Studies | 502 |
| Near and Middle Eastern Studies | 318 |
| African Studies | 206 |
| European Studies/Civilization | 177 |
| French Studies | 159 |
| Russian Studies | 122 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
