by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Caribbean Studies covers Caribbean Studies. A Program That Focuses On The History, Society, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of One Or More Of The Peoples Inhabiting The Major Islands And Archipelagoes Of The Caribbean Sea And Related Coastal Borderlands, Including Immigration Patterns And Pre-Columbian, Colonial, And Modern Societies. Continue reading for the important information every caribbean studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering caribbean studies programs.
Across the country, caribbean studies is a widely-pursued major, with 1 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Caribbean Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for caribbean studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of caribbean studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Caribbean Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations caribbean studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a caribbean studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a caribbean studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several caribbean 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to caribbean 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in caribbean studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in caribbean studies can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to caribbean studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to caribbean studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of caribbean studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 caribbean studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers caribbean studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 1 different caribbean studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased caribbean studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in caribbean studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| American/United States Studies/Civilization | 1,156 |
| Asian Studies/Civilization | 705 |
| Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) | 680 |
| Area Studies, Other | 630 |
| East Asian Studies | 581 |
| Latin American Studies | 498 |
| Near and Middle Eastern Studies | 317 |
| African Studies | 209 |
| French Studies | 143 |
| Russian Studies | 124 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
