by our College Data Analytics TeamAs a Cultural Studies and Analysis major, you will immerse yourself in an interdisciplinary program analyzing and critiquing all aspects of culture. Your professors will teach you how to think critically while examining values, ideas, belief systems, and expression of culture. Part of the study involves examining the relationship between everyday life and cultural forms as well as analyzing and critiquing culture through different theories.
Classes you can expect to see in this major include: literary studies, philosophy, art, history, political economy, sociology, gender theory, anthropology, and semiotics.
In 2021-2022, cultural studies & analysis was the 300th most popular major nationwide with 368 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Cultural Studies & Analysis Schools ranking analyzes 5 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for cultural studies & analysis students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of culture studies programs later in this article.
This major requires an open mind as you examine and interact with various cultures and perspectives. Be prepared to perform a variety of tasks that enable you to understand different cultures better. This includes analyzing and exploring different concepts of culture, as well as how societal norms and personal identity are constructed. Class participation will require you to defend your position in discussions and debates.
This major involves a lot of research, writing and presentations. Develop your speaking skills in order to be able to clearly present your ideas. Flexibility, curiosity and innovation will help you come up with new ideas and solutions to cultural issues.
Take advantage of any opportunities to study abroad while in college. This will open up your eyes to a host of new experiences as you learn about a culture first-hand.
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. In addition to these basic cultural studies & analysis program qualifications, to serve in some culture studies careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Culture Studies degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in cultural studies & analysis to something that takes less time like a . The type of culture studies degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| 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 |
Cultural Studies and Analysis graduates are multi-faceted individuals with strong critical thinking and analytical skills. They are well prepared to pursue a wide variety of careers. Some examples are a documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, program manager or museum administrator. Graduates also find work in community outreach, public programs or education. Cultural Studies and Analysis is also a great stepping stone for those who wish to further their academic career with an advanced degree in the humanities, social sciences, law or art.
Want a job when you graduate with your culture studies degree? Cultural Studies & Analysis careers are expected to grow 9.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cultural studies & analysis.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Professors | 258,700 | 9.4% |
Cultural Studies & Analysis graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $21,458 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $21,458 to as high as $21,458. As you might expect, salaries for culture studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for cultural studies & analysis graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers culture studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Professors | $76,990 |
With over 77 different culture 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 culture studies school rankings to help you with this.
One of 51 majors within the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies area of study, Cultural Studies & Analysis has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis | 368 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 31,307 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,032 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,114 |
| International Studies | 6,614 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,598 |
