by our College Data Analytics TeamTextual Studies (CIP 30.5203) is part of the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies field of study, alongside 3 related programs, but no U.S. college reported textual studies graduates to IPEDS in the latest year. Its 12 related occupations pay an average median salary of $98,891 a year.
A major in Textual Studies involves the study of A Program That Focuses On The Interconnected Histories Of Digital Or Print Texts And Manuscripts For Cultural And Literary Study. Includes Instruction In Archiving Texts, Bibliography, Book And Literary History, Cultural Studies, Codicology, Paleography, Stemmatology, And Textual Criticism.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
O*NET rates Reading Comprehension the most important skill for jobs related to textual studies, at 4.2 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are English Language, Education and Training and History and Archeology. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to textual studies, at 41.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 41.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.9% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.9% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
12 occupations are related to Textual Studies, with an average median salary of $98,891; the strongest outlook belongs to English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Lecturer and Instructor.
The occupation related to textual studies with the most projected jobs is Curators, at 1,554,871.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Curators | 1,554,871 | 4.1% |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,273,615 | 14.3% |
| Archivists | 1,193,221 | 1.6% |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
The highest-paying occupation related to textual studies is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,437 |
| Curators | $79,764 |
Textual Studies has 3 similar majors in the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies field, which together award 144 degrees a year; the largest are Digital Humanities (133), Digital Humanities and Textual Studies, General (10) and Digital Humanities and Textual Studies, Other (1). Browse all Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Digital Humanities | 133 |
| Digital Humanities and Textual Studies, General | 10 |
| Digital Humanities and Textual Studies, Other | 1 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.