by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, ethnic studies was the 523rd most popular major nationwide with 673 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 167 over the prior year, a growth of 24.8%.
Our 2023 Best Ethnic Studies Schools ranking analyzes 15 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for ethnic studies students. Explore this or one of our many other custom ethnic studies rankings further below.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to ethnic studies. Required skills include teaching others how to do something and talking to others to convey information effectively.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most ethnic studies degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific ethnic studies careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different ethnic studies degree levels. You can get anything from a in ethnic studies to the highest ethnic studies degree, a . Ethnic 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 doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to ethnic studies, with approximately 60.5% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for ethnic studies workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 61.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 31.5% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 4.0% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 3.3% |
| First Professional Degree | 1.1% |
About 64.5% of workers in careers related to ethnic studies obtain at least doctor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in ethnic studies have received.
The education level required is different depending on the ethnic studies career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your ethnic studies degree? Ethnic Studies careers are expected to grow 10.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to ethnic studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors | 12,700 | 10.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for ethnic studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for ethnic studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers ethnic studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors | $85,450 |
With over 130 different ethnic 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 ethnic studies school rankings to help you with this.
Ethnic Studies is one of 11 different types of Ethnic Studies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Women’s Studies | 2,868 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, & Group Studies, Other | 2,142 |
| African American Studies | 1,196 |
| Latino Studies | 883 |
| Native American Studies | 527 |
