by our College Data Analytics TeamAs a Cultural Studies and Analysis major, you will immerse yourself in an interdisciplinary program analyzing and critiquing all aspects of culture. Your professors will teach you how to think critically while examining values, ideas, belief systems, and expression of culture. Part of the study involves examining the relationship between everyday life and cultural forms as well as analyzing and critiquing culture through different theories.
Classes you can expect to see in this major include: literary studies, philosophy, art, history, political economy, sociology, gender theory, anthropology, and semiotics.
A major in Cultural Studies & Analysis explores Cultural Studies/critical Theory And Analysis. Continue reading for the key facts every cultural studies & analysis student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering cultural studies & analysis programs.
Across the country, cultural studies & analysis is a widely-pursued major, with 407 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Cultural Studies & Analysis Schools ranking analyzes these 42 schools to determine the best overall colleges for cultural studies & analysis students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cultural studies & analysis programs later in this article.
Coursework for Cultural Studies & Analysis build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cultural studies & analysis graduates commonly enter.
This major requires an open mind as you examine and interact with various cultures and perspectives. Be prepared to perform a variety of tasks that enable you to understand different cultures better. This includes analyzing and exploring different concepts of culture, as well as how societal norms and personal identity are constructed. Class participation will require you to defend your position in discussions and debates.
This major involves a lot of research, writing and presentations. Develop your speaking skills in order to be able to clearly present your ideas. Flexibility, curiosity and innovation will help you come up with new ideas and solutions to cultural issues.
Take advantage of any opportunities to study abroad while in college. This will open up your eyes to a host of new experiences as you learn about a culture first-hand.
Skills emphasized by a cultural studies & analysis program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a cultural studies & analysis major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several cultural studies & analysis 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 | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 20 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 199 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 157 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 29 |
People currently working in careers related to cultural studies & analysis tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 57.0% |
| Master’s degree | 31.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.1% |
| 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 cultural studies & analysis careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Cultural Studies and Analysis graduates are multi-faceted individuals with strong critical thinking and analytical skills. They are well prepared to pursue a wide variety of careers. Some examples are a documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, program manager or museum administrator. Graduates also find work in community outreach, public programs or education. Cultural Studies and Analysis is also a great stepping stone for those who wish to further their academic career with an advanced degree in the humanities, social sciences, law or art.
A degree in cultural studies & analysis can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to cultural studies & analysis.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cultural studies & analysis.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of cultural studies & analysis graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $21,458 |
| 4 years | $41,641 |
| 5 years | $43,084 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for cultural studies & analysis graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers cultural studies & analysis grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
With 42 different cultural studies & analysis programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased cultural studies & analysis school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in cultural studies & analysis, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis | 407 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
