by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Dispute Resolution involves the study of Dispute Resolution. Continue reading for the important information every dispute resolution major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering dispute resolution programs.
Nationwide, dispute resolution is a popular field of study, with 586 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Dispute Resolution Schools ranking analyzes these 34 schools to determine the best overall colleges for dispute resolution students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dispute resolution programs later in this article.
Programs in Dispute Resolution emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations dispute resolution graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a dispute resolution program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a dispute resolution major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several dispute resolution 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 | 8 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 557 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 19 |
People currently working in careers related to dispute resolution tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| First professional degree | 35.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 31.2% |
| Master’s degree | 14.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 6.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.3% |
| Some college courses | 1.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in dispute resolution careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in dispute resolution can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to dispute resolution.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dispute resolution.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,017,747 | -2.9% |
| Labor Relations Specialists | 215,473 | 2.5% |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | 214,979 | 0.6% |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | 181,317 | 10.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of dispute resolution graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $62,001 |
| 4 years | $66,118 |
| 5 years | $77,393 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for dispute resolution graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers dispute resolution grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Labor Relations Specialists | $129,587 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $93,794 |
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | $91,726 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,576 |
With 34 different dispute resolution programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased dispute resolution school rankings to help you.
Students interested in dispute resolution, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dispute Resolution | 586 |
| 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.
