by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 30 U.S. colleges awarded 177 degrees and certificates in European Studies. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 71% of graduates. College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best European 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.
A degree in European Studies covers European Studies/civilization. A Program That Focuses On The History, Society, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of One Or More Of The Peoples Of The European Continent, Including The Study Of European Migration Patterns And Colonial Empires.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., european studies is a widely-pursued major, with 177 degrees awarded annually. 30 colleges award european studies degrees, an average of 6 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 82.
By level, the 177 awards include 1 certificates, 50 bachelor’s degrees and 126 master’s degrees.
Women earned 66% of european studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (116 of 177). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (123) and Hispanic or Latino (19), and international students earned 11.
College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best European Studies Schools ranking, including 1 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. In all, 30 colleges offer european studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value European Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common european studies credential is the master’s degree: 126 of the 177 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to european studies call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Instructing, 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 Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an european studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 50 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 126 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to european 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 European 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 Ethnology Professor, Lecturer, Ethnic Origins Teacher and African Studies Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to european studies, at 718,152.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
European 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 european studies, with a median salary of $47,517.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
European Studies has 29 similar majors in the Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies field, which together award 5,926 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 |
| Area Studies, Other | 620 |
| East Asian Studies | 559 |
| Latin American Studies | 502 |
| Near and Middle Eastern Studies | 318 |
| African Studies | 206 |
| French Studies | 159 |
| Russian Studies | 122 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
