by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution explores Peace Studies And Conflict Resolution. A Program That Focuses On The Origins, Resolution And Prevention Of International And Inter-Group Conflicts. Includes Instruction In Peace Research Methods And Related Social Scientific And Psychological Knowledge Bases. Continue reading for the essential details every peace studies & conflict resolution major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering peace studies & conflict resolution programs.
Nationwide, peace studies & conflict resolution draws strong interest, with 1,003 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution Schools ranking analyzes these 82 schools to determine the best overall colleges for peace studies & conflict resolution students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of peace studies & conflict resolution programs later in this article.
Studies in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations peace studies & conflict resolution graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a peace studies & conflict resolution program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a peace studies & conflict resolution major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several peace studies & conflict 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 | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 453 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 520 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 29 |
People currently working in careers related to peace studies & conflict resolution tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| First professional degree | 30.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 22.2% |
| Master’s degree | 16.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 8.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 8.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.4% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in peace studies & conflict resolution careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in peace studies & conflict resolution can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to peace studies & conflict resolution.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to peace studies & conflict resolution.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | 214,979 | 0.6% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | 24,588 | 6.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of peace studies & conflict resolution graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $49,567 |
| 4 years | $60,786 |
| 5 years | $75,346 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for peace studies & conflict resolution graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers peace studies & conflict resolution grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $93,794 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $42,168 |
With 82 different peace studies & conflict resolution programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased peace studies & conflict resolution school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
