HUMANITIES
+1.8%Liberal Arts
A broad foundation across writing, history, social science, and the arts — a flexible entry point into graduate school, business, or public service.
HUMANITIES
Cultural Studies
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Cultural Studies
Ethnic studies, women's and gender studies, and regional specializations — interdisciplinary programs focused on identity, culture, power, and social equity research. Graduates earn a national median of $51,710 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 832 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 15,254 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $32,441
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $51,710
- Colleges Offering
- 832
- Graduates / Year
- 15,254
- Specializations
- 3
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $18,749
Is a Cultural Studies Degree Right for You?
$51,710
Median earnings · 4yr
+2.4%
10yr job growth
3
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~3.5
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Solid ROI. Median earnings of $51,710 after 4 years. Against an estimated $74,996 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.5 years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Cultural Studies Majors Earn?
Cultural Studies graduates start at a median $32,441 one year out and reach $51,710 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 832 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$32,441
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$51,710
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$54,187
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Cultural Studies specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $56,625/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $51,710/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$51,710
Lowest
$51,710
Median
$56,625
Highest
What Can You Do With a Cultural Studies Degree?
Career Paths for Cultural Studies Graduates
Cultural Studies connects to 2 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Cultural Studies Professors leads in median earnings at $85,020/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Cultural Studies Professors
Doctoral or professional degree
$85,020
↗ +2.4% growth
Interpreters and Translators
Bachelor's degree
$60,170
↗ +1.7% growth
Cultural Studies Specializations
Cultural Studies spans 3 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $51,710 to $56,625 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Cultural Studies
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Cultural Studies graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Acceptance
9%
Net price/yr
$12,548
Earnings 10yr
$82,511
Grad rate
82%
2
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA · Public
Acceptance
39.2%
Net price/yr
$14,091
Earnings 10yr
$78,466
Grad rate
73%
3
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public
Acceptance
41.8%
Net price/yr
$14,741
Earnings 10yr
$80,838
Grad rate
81%
4
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · Public
Acceptance
93.5%
Net price/yr
$7,021
Earnings 10yr
$59,115
Grad rate
64%
5
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Acceptance
11%
Net price/yr
$13,481
Earnings 10yr
$92,446
Grad rate
74%
6
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public
Acceptance
15.3%
Net price/yr
$11,655
Earnings 10yr
$72,200
Grad rate
87%
7
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
4%
Net price/yr
$21,590
Earnings 10yr
$102,491
Grad rate
79%
8
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
Acceptance
12.9%
Net price/yr
$40,815
Earnings 10yr
$103,494
Grad rate
90%
9
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
3.7%
Net price/yr
$19,066
Earnings 10yr
$101,817
Grad rate
87%
10
Yale University
New Haven, CT · Nonprofit
Acceptance
3.9%
Net price/yr
$23,777
Earnings 10yr
$100,533
Grad rate
93%
11
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
Acceptance
26.6%
Net price/yr
$19,857
Earnings 10yr
$75,121
Grad rate
81%
12
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA · Public
Acceptance
33%
Net price/yr
$16,109
Earnings 10yr
$74,915
Grad rate
65%
13
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA · Public
Acceptance
65.8%
Net price/yr
$17,890
Earnings 10yr
$68,396
Grad rate
69%
14
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
Acceptance
46.3%
Net price/yr
$10,440
Earnings 10yr
$64,403
Grad rate
78%
15
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
Acceptance
15.6%
Net price/yr
$13,138
Earnings 10yr
$83,648
Grad rate
90%
16
New York University
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
9.2%
Net price/yr
$37,050
Earnings 10yr
$82,509
Grad rate
76%
17
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA · Public
Acceptance
96.4%
Net price/yr
$12,278
Earnings 10yr
$68,077
Grad rate
64%
18
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
Acceptance
45.2%
Net price/yr
$17,354
Earnings 10yr
$73,792
Grad rate
75%
19
Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, CA · Public
Acceptance
Open
Net price/yr
$16,341
Earnings 10yr
$44,483
Grad rate
15%
20
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
40.5%
Net price/yr
$35,736
Earnings 10yr
$77,231
Grad rate
82%
Ranked by number of Cultural Studies graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Cultural Studies Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Cultural Studies degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Cultural Studies degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Cultural Studies Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Cultural Studies tells a mixed story. Measurable strengths offset by real trade-offs. All 4 points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, and IPEDS graduate counts. No editorial opinion applied.
PROS
- Wide availability Offered at 832 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $32,441 at graduation to $51,710 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
- Modest median earnings Four-year median of $51,710 lags behind many STEM and business fields, which can affect ROI at higher-cost programs.
- Slow job growth Top related careers project less than 3% growth over the next decade, meaning the field is not expanding quickly and competition for openings may be high.
Cultural Studies Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Cultural Studies graduates earn?
Cultural Studies graduates earn a national median of $51,710 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Cultural Studies degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Cultural Studies degree holders is $32,441 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Cultural Studies degree?
Cultural Studies degree holders work in a range of careers. Cultural Studies Professors is one of the top roles by median wage ($85,020/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Cultural Studies?
832 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Cultural Studies, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Cultural Studies degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $51,710 and an average net price of roughly $18,749/yr across institutions offering this major, a Cultural Studies degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Cultural Studies degree?
A bachelor's degree in Cultural Studies typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Cultural Studies graduates?
Employers hiring Cultural Studies graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, research, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Cultural Studies graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Cultural Studies graduates is steady but slow, with an average of +2.1% projected growth across related occupations. Cultural Studies Professors is among the strongest-growth roles at +2.4%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
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