HUMANITIES Specialization

Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Medieval and Renaissance Studies graduates earn $44,941 four years out. How much you earn depends heavily on which career path you take and where you work. The salary breakdown on this page shows the full range.

About Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Medieval and Renaissance Studies is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduates typically earn around $44,941 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 58 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 105 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.


Median Earnings · 4yr
$44,941
Colleges Offering
58
Graduates / Year
105
Avg Net Price / yr
$25,958

How Much Do Medieval and Renaissance Studies Graduates Earn?

Medieval and Renaissance Studies graduates earn $44,941 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$44,941
4-Year National Median

Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 105 students who complete Medieval and Renaissance Studies programs each year, the majority (46%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 46%
Master's 23%
Post-Bacc Cert. 19%

What Can You Do With a Medieval and Renaissance Studies Degree?

Medieval and Renaissance Studies connects to 1 occupations in the job market. History Teachers leads at $83,820/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↘ -0.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$83,820
$64K $112K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 1,700 openings/yr 19K employed nationally
Speaking Reading Comprehension Learning Strategies Writing Instructing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as ancient history, postwar civilizations, and the history of third-world countries.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.

Top Colleges for Medieval and Renaissance Studies

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Medieval and Renaissance Studies students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Fordham University Bronx, NY · Nonprofit 9 59.3% $44,338 $85,569
2 Yale University New Haven, CT · Nonprofit 7 3.9% $23,777 $100,533
3 University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit 6 4.5% $14,860 $91,885
4 University of Oregon Eugene, OR · Public 5 88.3% $22,182 $61,324
5 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI · Public 5 84.6% $15,273 $53,562
6 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN · Nonprofit 5 11.3% $26,780 $99,980
7 Cornell University Ithaca, NY · Nonprofit 4 8.8% $28,690 $104,043
8 Brown University Providence, RI · Nonprofit 4 5.4% $25,184 $93,487
9 Barnard College New York, NY · Nonprofit 3 8.8% $28,800 $80,516
10 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public 2 60.6% $32,875 $63,435
11 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public 2 15.6% $13,138 $83,648
12 Georgetown University Washington, DC · Nonprofit 2 12.9% $40,815 $103,494
13 The Catholic University of America Washington, DC · Nonprofit 2 82.8% $29,561 $73,250
14 Dickinson College Carlisle, PA · Nonprofit 2 42.1% $37,607 $70,204
15 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN · Public 1 41.6% $18,976 $60,249
16 University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA · Public 1 33% $16,109 $74,915
17 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA · Public 1 83.6% $22,531 $64,762
18 Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA · Nonprofit 1 14% $39,949 $63,268
19 Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO · Nonprofit 1 75% $24,398 $70,783
20 University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, MO · Public 1 72.2% $13,310 $59,637

Ranked by Medieval and Renaissance Studies graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 Medieval and Renaissance Studies program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Medieval and Renaissance Studies Degree: Pros & Cons

Medieval and Renaissance Studies carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 0 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

CONS
  • Below-average earnings Four-year median of $44,941 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
  • Long earnings breakeven At median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 6.9 years.

Medieval and Renaissance Studies Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Medieval and Renaissance Studies graduates earn?
Medieval and Renaissance Studies graduates earn a national median of $44,941 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between below median and $65,194. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What jobs can you get with a Medieval and Renaissance Studies degree?
Medieval and Renaissance Studies degree holders pursue careers including History Teachers, which pays a median of $83,820/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Medieval and Renaissance Studies program take?
A Medieval and Renaissance Studies bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Medieval and Renaissance Studies?
58 colleges and universities in the United States offer Medieval and Renaissance Studies programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Medieval and Renaissance Studies degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $44,941 and an average net price of roughly $25,958/yr, a Medieval and Renaissance Studies degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Medieval and Renaissance Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Medieval and Renaissance Studies is a focused concentration within the broader Interdisciplinary Studies field. The Interdisciplinary Studies major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Medieval and Renaissance Studies-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Medieval and Renaissance Studies graduates?
Employers hiring Medieval and Renaissance Studies graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.

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