by our College Data Analytics TeamMulticultural and Diversity Studies is multidisciplinary field that is great for a student with an open mind. This flexible major allows you to better understand how different cultures interact to shape the identity of a people group. Students will learn how to a socially responsible citizen in an increasingly global environment. Your studies will promote tolerance and accepting of diverse ethnicities and culture.
The classes you take are as diverse as the groups you are learning about. They include: sociology, psychology, anthropology, conflict resolution, human services and resources, history, political science, English, philosophy, and management.
Studying Multicultural & Diversity Studies involves the study of Intercultural/multicultural And Diversity Studies. Continue reading for the essential details every multicultural & diversity studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering multicultural & diversity studies programs.
Nationwide, multicultural & diversity studies is a popular field of study, with 706 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Multicultural & Diversity Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 98 schools to determine the best overall colleges for multicultural & diversity studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of multicultural & diversity studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Multicultural & Diversity Studies emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations multicultural & diversity studies graduates commonly enter.
Be ready to push the limits of your comfort zone as you seek to understand many different cultures from a variety of perspectives, as well as spend time examining your own culture. It will be up to you integrate various theoretical perspectives in your interdisciplinary subjects. Analytical skills are necessary to examine assumptions and stereotypes.
A large part of the major is determining if educational and political policies aid or hinder diversity. Students will learn to put theory into practice and learn from others opinions and experience. Listening to advice from others will allow you to gain a much deeper understanding of multiculturalism. This is a great major for students who love to interact with a wide variety of people.
You may have the opportunity to study abroad or complete an internship during your studies. Take advantage of any opportunity to broaden your horizons and give you experience working with diverse populations.
Skills developed in a multicultural & diversity studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a multicultural & diversity studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several multicultural & diversity 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 | 7 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 115 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 555 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 22 |
People currently working in careers related to multicultural & diversity studies 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 multicultural & diversity studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
The workforce today is made up of people from many backgrounds and ethnicities. Employers look for those who can easily transition to a job working with or serving a diverse population. A degree in Multicultural and Diversity Studies makes you very attractive to employers who value diversity. Graduates find work in a number of professions such as social work, community activism, law, education, counseling, and human resources.
A degree in multicultural & diversity studies prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to multicultural & diversity studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to multicultural & diversity studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of multicultural & diversity studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,487 |
| 4 years | $38,455 |
| 5 years | $44,952 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for multicultural & diversity studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers multicultural & diversity studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
With 98 different multicultural & diversity studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased multicultural & diversity studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in multicultural & diversity studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | 706 |
| 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.
