Students who major in Ethnic, Cultural Minority or Group Studies usually choose a topic to focus on such as African-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic-Americans, women, gay/lesbian culture, and more. The program will include a combination of courses delving into the history, politics, literature and modern development of these ethnicities, cultures or groups.
A major in ethnic studies will give students a broad set of knowledge in various minority groups, what challenges they have faced throughout time and what their culture is about by studying literature, learning about their history and political leanings.
Because a major in ethnic studies is so wide-ranging, this major can lay the groundwork for you to start a career in many fields including business, teaching, sociology, diplomacy, public policy, and others. For example, you may work in business to help the company understand a cultural impact of a product you are developing. You could opt to become a high school or college-level teacher specializing in a certain area of history.
To work in a post-secondary position, you will need to have a bachelor's and possibly a master's degree or Ph.D. in ethnic studies. Other careers that can utilize your ethnic studies education will vary by the industry you work in.
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Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
In 2021-2022, ethnic studies was the 99th most popular major nationwide with 9,323 degrees awarded.
Our 2025 Best Ethnic Studies Schools ranking analyzes 97 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for ethnic studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of ethnic studies programs later in this article.
Explore societal similarities and differences as seen through cultural, biological, archaeological and linguistic lenses when you earn one of your degrees in anthropology from Southern New Hampshire University.
For most careers in this field, interpersonal skills, written and oral communication and critical thinking will be important. In any position, it is critical to be able to effectively communicate with others both verbally and via written communication. The type of positions utilizing a person who studied ethnic studies will also likely need critical thinking skills. They will need to be able to evaluate cultural norms and decide for themselves what they think.
ADBLOCK #171
Ethnic Studies Degree Program Entry Requirements
ethnic studies degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional ethnic studies certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Types of Ethnic Studies Degrees
Ethnic Studies degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in ethnic studies to something that takes less time like a . Different ethnic studies degrees vary in how long they take.
Degree
Credit Requirements
Typical Program Length
Associate Degree
60-70 credits
2 years
Bachelor’s Degree
120 credits
4 years
Master’s Degree
50-70 credits
1-3 years
Doctorate
Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation
At least 4 years
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to ethnic studies, with approximately 30.3% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to ethnic studies tend obtained the following education levels.
Level of Education
Percentage of Workers
Doctoral Degree
41.5%
Master’s Degree
29.6%
Bachelor’s Degree
17.0%
Post-Master’s Certificate
5.1%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree)
3.7%
ADBLOCK #172
Most workers in ethnic studies have at least a master's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in ethnic studies careers have.
This of course varies depending on which ethnic studies career you choose.
Career Opportunities for A Degree In Ethnic Studies Graduate
Below AverageNumber of Jobs
$32kAverage Starting Salary
17% GrowthJob Outlook 2016-26
High Growth Projected for Ethnic Studies Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your ethnic studies degree? Ethnic Studies careers are expected to grow 16.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to ethnic studies.
Occupation Name
Projected Jobs
Expected Growth
Interpreters and Translators
80,300
17.7%
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors
12,700
10.4%
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Ethnic Studies Degree Salary Potential
Ethnic Studies graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $32,003 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $16,635 to as high as $68,501. As you might expect, salaries for ethnic studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Highest Paid Ethnic Studies Careers
Salaries for ethnic studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers ethnic studies grads often go into.
Occupation Name
Median Average Salary
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Professors
$85,450
Interpreters and Translators
$55,230
ADBLOCK #173
Getting Your Ethnic Studies Degree
With over 1,949 different ethnic studies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased ethnic studies school rankings to help you with this.
by our College Data Analytics Team
