by our College Data Analytics TeamMedieval Studies is an incredible major that allows you study history, art, music, archeology, politics, and literature of the Mediterranean and Europe through the 4th to the 17th century. This major will allow you to gain a broad knowledge base to how the modern world originated. Some of the world's most beautiful artwork and incredible literature originated during this time, as well as systems and structures that helped us create today's legal system and political offices.
Some of the courses you will encounter include: history of medieval Europe, manuscript studies, art history, Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, literature of the Middle Ages, early Christian and Byzantine art, medieval and renaissance prose fiction, Dante and medieval theology, medieval philosophy, Latin of the middle ages, and medieval art.
A major in Medieval Studies involves the study of Medieval And Renaissance Studies. Continue reading for the key facts every medieval studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering medieval studies programs.
In the U.S., medieval studies is a popular field of study, with 122 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Medieval Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 37 schools to determine the best overall colleges for medieval studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of medieval studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Medieval Studies emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations medieval studies graduates commonly enter.
This is a broad major that requires students to stretch themselves mentally. You will examine culture, study art work and architecture, and explore and analyze the literature and philosophy of the time period. You will spend a lot of time in the library reading, writing, and researching. Students with a natural curiosity for this time period will enjoy unraveling mysterious about the sometimes shrouded historical era.
This major will develop your critical thinking and interdisciplinary skills as you connect ideas from various subjects. At that time, livelihoods were more connected, for example theologians were also scientists. A fascination with history and passion for uncovering the past will be your key to your success.
Skills emphasized by a medieval studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a medieval studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several medieval 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 | 45 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 69 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 8 |
People currently working in careers related to medieval studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 66.1% |
| Master’s degree | 32.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.5% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in medieval studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Students who major in Medieval Studies receive a broad education that prepares them for a variety of careers. Graduates have developed excellent critical thinking and analytical skills that many employers find desirable. Some graduates work with artifacts or become a museum director or curator. You would also be prepared to become an archivist or a historian. Those interested in education could easily become history teachers or continue their education to become a college professor. Some grads also go into law, politics, research, writing or government work.
Majoring in medieval studies prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to medieval studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to medieval studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| History Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,269,153 | 10.5% |
| Historians | 66,368 | -1.5% |
Salaries for medieval studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers medieval studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Historians | $89,780 |
| History Teachers, Postsecondary | $38,484 |
With 37 different medieval studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased medieval studies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in medieval studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medieval and Renaissance Studies | 122 |
| 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.
