by our College Data Analytics TeamStudents 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.
A degree in Ethnic Studies explores Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies. Read on to learn the key facts every ethnic studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering ethnic studies programs.
In the U.S., ethnic studies is a popular field of study, with 9,122 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Ethnic Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 563 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.
Studies in Ethnic Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations ethnic studies graduates commonly enter.
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.
Skills emphasized by a ethnic studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a ethnic studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several ethnic 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 | 77 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 704 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,797 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,399 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 136 |
People currently working in careers related to ethnic studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 57.8% |
| Master’s degree | 30.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 2.4% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in ethnic studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in ethnic studies can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to ethnic studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to ethnic studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of ethnic studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,619 |
| 4 years | $46,128 |
| 5 years | $53,144 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for ethnic studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers ethnic studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 563 different ethnic studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased ethnic studies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in ethnic studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Area Studies | 5,875 |
| Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies, Other | 47 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
