by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 103 U.S. colleges awarded 745 degrees and certificates in Multicultural & Diversity Studies. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 85% of graduates. College Factual ranks 21 schools in its 2027 Best Multicultural & Diversity Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $32,487 one year after completing, rising to $55,855 after four years.
Multicultural and Diversity Studies is multidisciplinary field that is great for a student with an open mind. This flexible major allows you to better understand how different cultures interact to shape the identity of a people group. Students will learn how to a socially responsible citizen in an increasingly global environment. Your studies will promote tolerance and accepting of diverse ethnicities and culture.
The classes you take are as diverse as the groups you are learning about. They include: sociology, psychology, anthropology, conflict resolution, human services and resources, history, political science, English, philosophy, and management.
Studying Multicultural & Diversity Studies involves the study of Intercultural/multicultural And Diversity Studies.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, multicultural & diversity studies is a popular field of study, with 745 degrees awarded annually. 103 colleges award multicultural & diversity studies degrees, an average of 7 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 47.
By level, the 745 awards include 12 certificates, 2 associate degrees, 77 bachelor’s degrees, 635 master’s degrees and 16 doctorates.
Women earned 80% of multicultural & diversity studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (599 of 745). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (344) and Black or African American (123), and international students earned 46.
College Factual ranks 21 schools in its 2027 Best Multicultural & Diversity Studies Schools ranking, including 2 for bachelor’s degrees and 5 for master’s degrees. It also ranks multicultural & diversity studies schools within 2 states. In all, 103 colleges offer multicultural & diversity studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Multicultural & Diversity Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common multicultural & diversity studies credential is the master’s degree: 635 of the 745 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to multicultural & diversity studies 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.
Be ready to push the limits of your comfort zone as you seek to understand many different cultures from a variety of perspectives, as well as spend time examining your own culture. It will be up to you integrate various theoretical perspectives in your interdisciplinary subjects. Analytical skills are necessary to examine assumptions and stereotypes.
A large part of the major is determining if educational and political policies aid or hinder diversity. Students will learn to put theory into practice and learn from others opinions and experience. Listening to advice from others will allow you to gain a much deeper understanding of multiculturalism. This is a great major for students who love to interact with a wide variety of people.
You may have the opportunity to study abroad or complete an internship during your studies. Take advantage of any opportunity to broaden your horizons and give you experience working with diverse populations.
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How long a multicultural & diversity studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 12 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 77 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 635 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 16 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to multicultural & diversity studies, 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.
3 occupations are related to Multicultural & Diversity Studies, with an average median salary of $46,847; the strongest outlook belongs to Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, at 6.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Assistant Professor, Ethnology Teacher, College Professor and Gender Studies Professor.
The workforce today is made up of people from many backgrounds and ethnicities. Employers look for those who can easily transition to a job working with or serving a diverse population. A degree in Multicultural and Diversity Studies makes you very attractive to employers who value diversity. Graduates find work in a number of professions such as social work, community activism, law, education, counseling, and human resources.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to multicultural & diversity studies, at 718,152.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
Multicultural & Diversity Studies graduates earn a median $32,487 one year after completing their program, $55,855 after four years and $44,952 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,487 |
| 4 years | $55,855 |
| 5 years | $44,952 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to multicultural & diversity studies is Transportation Planners, with a median salary of $50,855.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
Multicultural & Diversity Studies includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies (745). It has 48 similar majors in the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies field, which together award 149,677 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 |
|---|---|
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | 745 |
| 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 |
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