by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, African American studies was the 389th most popular major nationwide with 1,196 degrees awarded. This 71 less than the prior year, a decrease of 5.9%.
Our 2023 Best African American Studies Schools ranking analyzes 61 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for African American studies students. Explore this or one of our many other custom African American studies rankings further below.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in History - American History
Learn to evaluate and discuss the topics and events that made an impact on America's history with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
MA in History - American History
Understand the impact of major political, cultural, social and economic shifts in American society with this specialized online master's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is a required skill for African American studies majors. Talking to others to convey information effectively and teaching others how to do something are all required skills for careers related to this major.
African American studies degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific African American studies careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
African American Studies degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in African American studies to something that takes less time like a . The time it takes to complete a African American studies 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 doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to African American studies, with approximately 60.5% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for African American studies workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 61.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 31.5% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 4.0% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 3.3% |
| First Professional Degree | 1.1% |
64.5% of African American studies workers have at least a doctorate. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in African American studies have received.
The education level required is different depending on the African American studies career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your African American studies degree? African American Studies careers are expected to grow 10.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to African American studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors | 12,700 | 10.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for African American studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for African American studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers African American studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors | $85,450 |
With over 376 different African American studies 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 African American studies school rankings to help you with this.
One of 11 majors within the Ethnic Studies area of study, African American Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Women’s Studies | 2,868 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, & Group Studies, Other | 2,142 |
| Latino Studies | 883 |
| Ethnic Studies | 673 |
| Native American Studies | 527 |
