by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Women's Studies involves the study of Women's Studies. A Program That Focuses On The History, Sociology, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of Women, And The Development Of Modern Feminism In Relation To The Roles Played By Women In Different Periods And Locations In North America And The World. Programs May Focus On Literature, Philosophy, And The Arts As Much As On Social Studies And Policy. Examples: [Women's And Gender Studies]. Continue reading for the key facts every women's studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering women's studies programs.
Across the country, women’s studies draws strong interest, with 2,746 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Women’s Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 331 schools to determine the best overall colleges for women’s studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of women’s studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Women's Studies emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations women's studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a women’s studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a women’s studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several women’s 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 | 26 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 365 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,681 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 637 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 31 |
People currently working in careers related to women’s 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 women’s studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in women’s studies can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to women’s studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to women’s studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of women’s studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 women’s studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers women’s studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 331 different women’s studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased women’s studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering women’s 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.
