by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Korean Studies involves the study of Korean Studies. A Program That Focuses On The History, Society, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of The Peoples Of Korea, Including Related Island Groups And Borderlands. Read on to learn the key facts every korean studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering korean studies programs.
Across the country, korean studies draws strong interest, with 10 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Korean Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 2 schools to determine the best overall colleges for korean studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of korean studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Korean Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations korean studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a korean studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a korean studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several korean 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 | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to korean 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 korean studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in korean studies prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to korean studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to korean studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of korean studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 korean studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers korean studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 2 different korean studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased korean studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering korean 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.
