by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Gay/Lesbian Studies explores Gay/lesbian Studies. A Program That Focuses On Homosexuality In History, Society, Politics, And Cultural Life; Usually With An Emphasis On The Modern Emergence Of Gays And Lesbians As A Sociocultural Minority Movement, The Identification Of Social, Literary, And Artistic Themes And The Definition Of, And Public Policy And Legal Issues Surrounding, The Gay And Lesbian Community. Continue reading for the important information every gay/lesbian studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering gay/lesbian studies programs.
Across the country, gay/lesbian studies is a popular field of study, with 76 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Gay/Lesbian Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for gay/lesbian studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of gay/lesbian studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Gay/Lesbian Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations gay/lesbian studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a gay/lesbian studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a gay/lesbian studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several gay/lesbian 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 | 5 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 71 |
People currently working in careers related to gay/lesbian 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 gay/lesbian studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying gay/lesbian studies opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to gay/lesbian studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to gay/lesbian studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of gay/lesbian 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 gay/lesbian studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers gay/lesbian studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 14 different gay/lesbian studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased gay/lesbian studies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in gay/lesbian studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Women’s Studies | 2,746 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other | 2,431 |
| African-American/Black Studies | 922 |
| Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies | 698 |
| American Indian/Native American Studies | 560 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 517 |
| Disability Studies | 492 |
| Deaf Studies | 398 |
| Asian-American Studies | 172 |
| Folklore Studies | 64 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
