by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 41 U.S. colleges awarded 382 degrees and certificates in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 53% of graduates. College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & 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.
A major in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis involves the study of Cultural Studies/critical Theory And Analysis. An Interdisciplinary Program That Focuses On The Analysis And Critique Of Culture In Its Varied Forms, Including Values, Ideas, Belief Systems, And Expressive Acts, And The Relationship Between Cultural Forms, Everyday Life, And Structures Of Power. Includes Instruction In Anthropology, Communications, History, Literary Studies, Philosophy, Political Economy, And Sociology, As Well As Recent Theories And Methodologies Such As Semiotics, Deconstruction, Postcolonial Studies, Gender Theory, And Ethnography. Examples: [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.
Nationwide, cultural studies/critical theory & analysis is a popular field of study, with 382 degrees awarded annually. 41 colleges award cultural studies/critical theory & 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/critical theory & 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/Critical Theory & Analysis Schools ranking, including 4 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks cultural studies/critical theory & analysis schools within 1 state. In all, 41 colleges offer cultural studies/critical theory & analysis programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common cultural studies/critical theory & analysis credential is the bachelor’s degree: 201 of the 382 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to cultural studies/critical theory & 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 Oral Expression, Written Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a cultural studies/critical theory & 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/critical theory & 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/Critical Theory & 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 Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Faculty Member.
The occupation related to cultural studies/critical theory & 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/Critical Theory & 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/critical theory & 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
