by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 41 U.S. colleges awarded 382 degrees and certificates in Cultural Studies & Analysis. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 53% of graduates. College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Cultural Studies & Analysis Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $21,458 one year after completing, rising to $37,350 after four years.
As a Cultural Studies and Analysis major, you will immerse yourself in an interdisciplinary program analyzing and critiquing all aspects of culture. Your professors will teach you how to think critically while examining values, ideas, belief systems, and expression of culture. Part of the study involves examining the relationship between everyday life and cultural forms as well as analyzing and critiquing culture through different theories.
Classes you can expect to see in this major include: literary studies, philosophy, art, history, political economy, sociology, gender theory, anthropology, and semiotics.
A major in Cultural Studies & Analysis explores Cultural Studies/critical Theory And Analysis.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, cultural studies & analysis is a widely-pursued major, with 382 degrees awarded annually. 41 colleges award cultural studies & analysis degrees, an average of 9 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 83.
By level, the 382 awards include 25 associate degrees, 201 bachelor’s degrees, 114 master’s degrees and 42 doctorates.
Women earned 70% of cultural studies & analysis degrees and certificates in the latest year (268 of 382). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (149) and Hispanic or Latino (79), and international students earned 46.
College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Cultural Studies & Analysis Schools ranking, including 4 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks cultural studies & analysis schools within 1 state. In all, 41 colleges offer cultural studies & analysis programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Cultural Studies & Analysis Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common cultural studies & analysis credential is the bachelor’s degree: 201 of the 382 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to cultural studies & analysis call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Instructing, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Sociology and Anthropology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Expression, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
This major requires an open mind as you examine and interact with various cultures and perspectives. Be prepared to perform a variety of tasks that enable you to understand different cultures better. This includes analyzing and exploring different concepts of culture, as well as how societal norms and personal identity are constructed. Class participation will require you to defend your position in discussions and debates.
This major involves a lot of research, writing and presentations. Develop your speaking skills in order to be able to clearly present your ideas. Flexibility, curiosity and innovation will help you come up with new ideas and solutions to cultural issues.
Take advantage of any opportunities to study abroad while in college. This will open up your eyes to a host of new experiences as you learn about a culture first-hand.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long a cultural studies & analysis degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 25 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 201 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 114 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 42 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to cultural studies & analysis, at 57.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 57.0% |
| Master’s degree | 31.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.1% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Cultural Studies & Analysis, with an average median salary of $52,377; the strongest outlook belongs to Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, at 6.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Associate Professor, Lecturer, Assistant Professor and Interdisciplinary Professor.
Cultural Studies and Analysis graduates are multi-faceted individuals with strong critical thinking and analytical skills. They are well prepared to pursue a wide variety of careers. Some examples are a documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, program manager or museum administrator. Graduates also find work in community outreach, public programs or education. Cultural Studies and Analysis is also a great stepping stone for those who wish to further their academic career with an advanced degree in the humanities, social sciences, law or art.
The occupation related to cultural studies & analysis with the most projected jobs is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, at 964,215.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
Cultural Studies & Analysis graduates earn a median $21,458 one year after completing their program, $37,350 after four years and $43,084 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $21,458 |
| 4 years | $37,350 |
| 5 years | $43,084 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to cultural studies & analysis, with a median salary of $68,967.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
Cultural Studies & Analysis includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis (382). It has 48 similar majors in the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies field, which together award 150,040 degrees a year; the largest are Biological and Physical Sciences (29,811), Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (29,665) and Data Analytics (17,572). Browse all Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis | 382 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 29,811 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 29,665 |
| Data Analytics | 17,572 |
| Data Science | 11,772 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 11,175 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 6,906 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,644 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,569 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,567 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,911 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
