by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, demography and population studies was the 345th most popular major nationwide with 88 degrees awarded. This represents a 17.0% increase in population studies degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 73.
Our 2023 Best Demography & Population Studies Schools ranking analyzes 7 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for demography and population studies students. Explore this or one of our many other custom population studies rankings further below.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to analyze social factors and become an advocate for individual and community health with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Demography & Population Studies majors are found most commonly in careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is important. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional population studies certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Population Studies degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in demography and population studies to the highest population studies degree, a . Demography & Population Studies programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| 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 bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to population studies, with approximately 49.2% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to population studies tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 50.8% |
| Master’s Degree | 27.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 13.8% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1.9% |
| High School Diploma | 1.7% |
About 94.8% of workers in careers related to population studies obtain at least bachelor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in demography and population studies have received.
The education level required is different depending on the population studies career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your population studies degree? Demography & Population Studies careers are expected to grow 7.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to demography and population studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Social Scientists | 44,900 | 6.7% |
| Sociologists | 3,500 | 0.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for population studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for demography and population studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers population studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Sociologists | $90,290 |
| Social Scientists | $85,750 |
With over 28 different population 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 population studies school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Demography & Population Studies that might interest you.
One of 12 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, Demography & Population Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Demography & Population Studies | 82 |
| Applied Demography | 6 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Political Science & Government | 49,282 |
| Economics | 49,055 |
| Sociology | 38,475 |
| General Social Sciences | 18,997 |
| International Relations & National Security | 14,306 |
