by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Comparative Group Studies covers A Program That Focuses On The Comparative Study Of The History, Literature, Sociology, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of Different Groups Such As Racial, Gender, Sexual, Class, Ethnic, Geographical, And National. Includes Instruction In Comparative Studies, Comparative Literature, Critical Race Theory, Cultural Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Religious Studies, Science Studies, Social And Cultural Theory, Urban Studies, And Visual Culture. Read on to learn the key facts every comparative group studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering comparative group studies programs.
In the U.S., comparative group studies is a widely-pursued major, with 46 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Comparative Group Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 7 schools to determine the best overall colleges for comparative group studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of comparative group studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Comparative Group Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations comparative group studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a comparative group studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a comparative group studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several comparative group 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 | 36 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 6 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to comparative group 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 comparative group studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying comparative group studies opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to comparative group studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to comparative group studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of comparative group studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 comparative group studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers comparative group studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 7 different comparative group studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased comparative group studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering comparative group studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
