by our College Data Analytics TeamWould you like a major that you can tailor to your own interests? Majoring in area, ethnic, cultural, gender or group studies truly gives you the freedom to study what specifically interests you. In this major you can focus on history, society, politics, culture, and economics on the topic of your choice. You will critique and explore different societal norms such as ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, and social inequalities. Curriculum usually includes discussion and reflection on materials and hands-on activities. Depending on your focus, you may be interested in national or international government and policies.
The courses you will take include broad liberal arts based classes as well as specific and focused classes in your area of study. Your course load may include politics, international relations, literature of the subgroup, music/art/culture of the subgroup, religion, language, and history.
There are many different concentrations in this major. Students have a wide choice of specializations depending on their area of interest. That could be anything from the United States, Africa, Russia, China, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, African-Americans, Women, Folklore, Urban Studies or Disability Studies just to name a few.
Studying Area Studies covers Area Studies. Continue reading for the important information every area studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering area studies programs.
Across the country, area studies is a popular field of study, with 5,875 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Area Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 381 schools to determine the best overall colleges for area studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of area studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Area Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations area studies graduates commonly enter.
As a liberal arts major it is helpful to be a strong reader and a critical thinker. Students will also find it necessary to be able to think analytically and have good interpersonal skills. Communication is huge for an area studies major, as you will be completing many different research and writing assignments. Students should be passionate about their subject and possess cultural tolerance and a global awareness. It is also important to have an open mind and to be ready to see another person's point of view. This is a good major for someone who is excited to learn and interested in seeing the world through other another person's perspective.
Skills developed in a area studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a area studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several area studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 28 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 165 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,463 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,996 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 220 |
People currently working in careers related to area studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 60.5% |
| Master’s degree | 31.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in area studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
As an area studies major, you will be prepared for many different careers. By the time you graduate, you will possess skills that will allow you to effectively communicate with others, opening the doors for endless job possibilities. You may also choose to continue your education with a Master's Degree.
As ethnic, cultural and gender studies majors are found in a variety of careers, your earnings potential and likelihood of finding a job will vary.
Majoring in area studies opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to area studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to area studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of area studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,815 |
| 4 years | $54,317 |
| 5 years | $64,382 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for area studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers area studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 381 different area studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased area studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in area studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 9,122 |
| Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies, Other | 47 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
