by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis involves the study of Cultural Studies/critical Theory And Analysis. An Interdisciplinary Program That Focuses On The Analysis And Critique Of Culture In Its Varied Forms, Including Values, Ideas, Belief Systems, And Expressive Acts, And The Relationship Between Cultural Forms, Everyday Life, And Structures Of Power. Includes Instruction In Anthropology, Communications, History, Literary Studies, Philosophy, Political Economy, And Sociology, As Well As Recent Theories And Methodologies Such As Semiotics, Deconstruction, Postcolonial Studies, Gender Theory, And Ethnography. Examples: [Cultural Studies], [Critical Theory And Analysis]. Read on to learn the important information every cultural studies/critical theory & analysis student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering cultural studies/critical theory & analysis programs.
Nationwide, cultural studies/critical theory & analysis is a popular field of study, with 407 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis Schools ranking analyzes these 42 schools to determine the best overall colleges for cultural studies/critical theory & analysis students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cultural studies/critical theory & analysis programs later in this article.
Coursework for Cultural Studies/Critical Theory & Analysis develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cultural studies/critical theory & analysis graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a cultural studies/critical theory & analysis program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a cultural studies/critical theory & analysis major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several cultural studies/critical theory & 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/critical theory & 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in cultural studies/critical theory & analysis careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in cultural studies/critical theory & analysis opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to cultural studies/critical theory & analysis.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cultural studies/critical theory & 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of cultural studies/critical theory & 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/critical theory & analysis graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers cultural studies/critical theory & 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/critical theory & analysis programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased cultural studies/critical theory & analysis school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
