by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Scandinavian Studies involves the study of Scandinavian Studies. A Program That Focuses On The History, Society, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of One Or More Of The Peoples Of Scandinavia, Defined As Northern Europe Including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, And Related Island Groups (E.g., Greenland) And Borderlands. Continue reading for the key facts every scandinavian studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering scandinavian studies programs.
Across the country, scandinavian studies draws strong interest, with 24 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Scandinavian Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for scandinavian studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of scandinavian studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Scandinavian Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations scandinavian studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a scandinavian studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a scandinavian studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several scandinavian 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 | 16 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 6 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to scandinavian 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 scandinavian studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in scandinavian studies can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to scandinavian studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to scandinavian studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of scandinavian 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 scandinavian studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers scandinavian studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 5 different scandinavian studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased scandinavian studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in scandinavian 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.
