by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Pacific Area/Pacific Rim Studies covers Pacific Area/pacific Rim Studies. A Program That Focuses On The History, Society, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of One Or More Of The Peoples Of Australasia And The Pacific Ocean, Related Island Groups And Bordering Coastal Regions, And Including Pre- And Post-Colonial Migration Patterns. Read on to learn the important information every pacific area/pacific rim studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering pacific area/pacific rim studies programs.
In the U.S., pacific area/pacific rim studies is a widely-pursued major, with 25 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Pacific Area/Pacific Rim Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for pacific area/pacific rim studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of pacific area/pacific rim studies programs later in this article.
Programs in Pacific Area/Pacific Rim Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations pacific area/pacific rim studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a pacific area/pacific rim studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a pacific area/pacific rim studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several pacific area/pacific rim 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 | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 13 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 6 |
People currently working in careers related to pacific area/pacific rim 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 pacific area/pacific rim studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in pacific area/pacific rim studies prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to pacific area/pacific rim studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to pacific area/pacific rim 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 pacific area/pacific rim 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 pacific area/pacific rim studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers pacific area/pacific rim studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 5 different pacific area/pacific rim studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased pacific area/pacific rim studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering pacific area/pacific rim 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.
