by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Chinese Studies explores Chinese Studies. A Program That Focuses On The History, Society, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of One Or More Of The Peoples Of Present-Day China And Its Historical Predecessors, Related Borderlands And Island Groups, And The Overseas Chinese Diaspora. Read on to learn the important information every chinese studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering chinese studies programs.
Across the country, chinese studies is a popular field of study, with 64 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Chinese Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 22 schools to determine the best overall colleges for chinese studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of chinese studies programs later in this article.
Programs in Chinese Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations chinese studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a chinese studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a chinese studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several chinese 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 52 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 12 |
People currently working in careers related to chinese 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 chinese studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in chinese studies can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to chinese studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to chinese 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 chinese 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 chinese studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers chinese studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 22 different chinese studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased chinese studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in chinese 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.
