Best colleges for Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
An interdisciplinary program that focuses on the analysis and critique of culture in its varied forms, including values, ideas, belief systems, and expressive acts, and the relationship between cultural forms, everyday life, and structures of power.
40 U.S. institutions graduated 372 Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 30.2601, a specialization of Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis (CIP 30.26), and leads most directly to the Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1062).
About Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis programs
An interdisciplinary program that focuses on the analysis and critique of culture in its varied forms, including values, ideas, belief systems, and expressive acts, and the relationship between cultural forms, everyday life, and structures of power. Includes instruction in anthropology, communications, history, literary studies, philosophy, political economy, and sociology, as well as recent theories and methodologies such as semiotics, deconstruction, postcolonial studies, gender theory, and ethnography.
See also: 16.0104 - Comparative Literature., 30.3601 - Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature., 05.0212 - Comparative Group Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis is an interdisciplinary program that examines culture in its various forms, including values, beliefs, and expressive acts. It explores the connections between cultural expressions, daily life, and power structures, making it ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of culture and society.
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Students in this program gain skills in critical thinking, reading comprehension, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes subjects like anthropology, history, philosophy, and gender theory, equipping students with a broad understanding of cultural dynamics and methodologies.
Credentials awarded
What Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree191 graduates / yr · 19 institutions51%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate51 graduates / yr · 9 institutions14%
- Master's degree44 graduates / yr · 9 institutions12%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship42 graduates / yr · 6 institutions11%
- Associate's degree25 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions4.3%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Doctor's degree - other1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 144 |
| 2013 | 140 |
| 2014 | 188 |
| 2015 | 218 |
| 2016 | 270 |
| 2017 | 252 |
| 2018 | 228 |
| 2019 | 209 |
| 2020 | 346 |
| 2021 | 395 |
| 2022 | 353 |
| 2023 | 364 |
| 2024 | 387 |
| 2025 | 372 |
Top 40 institutions for Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 82 | 41% | — | — |
| 2 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 41 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 3 | Universidad del Sagrado Corazon Santurce, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 52% | $15,525 | — |
| 4 | College of Micronesia-FSM Pohnpei, FMPublicAssociate's | 22 | 34% | — | — |
| 5 | Occidental College Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 19 | 81% | $28,024 | — |
| 6 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 19 | — | — | — |
| 7 | California Institute of Integral Studies San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 17 | — | — | — |
| 8 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 9 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 12 | 68% | — | — |
| 10 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicDoctoral | 12 | 63% | — | — |
| 11 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 11 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 12 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 11 | 31% | $9,370 | — |
| 13 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 10 | 57% | $10,199 | — |
| 14 | Willamette University Salem, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 71% | $20,345 | — |
| 15 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor's | 6 | 61% | — | $21,458 |
| 16 | Pacific Northwest College of Art Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 29% | $40,553 | — |
| 17 | California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 67% | $42,045 | — |
| 18 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 89% | $41,764 | — |
| 19 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 20 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicBachelor's | 4 | 56% | — | — |
| 21 | Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 84% | $26,083 | — |
| 22 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 83% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 24 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor's | 3 | 58% | — | — |
| 25 | Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 74% | $49,088 | — |
| 26 | Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TXPublicMaster's | 3 | 42% | — | — |
| 27 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 87% | — | — |
| 28 | Luther College Decorah, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 71% | $22,827 | — |
| 29 | Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis Inc Brookline, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | — | — | — |
| 30 | Hampshire College Amherst, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 54% | $22,968 | — |
| 31 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 61% | $23,844 | — |
| 32 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 76% | $28,970 | — |
| 33 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster's | 2 | 85% | — | — |
| 34 | Bryant University Smithfield, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 80% | $38,485 | — |
| 35 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 68% | — | — |
| 36 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MAPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 83% | — | — |
| 37 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 66% | $24,921 | — |
| 38 | Union University Jackson, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 66% | $25,882 | — |
| 39 | Bennington College Bennington, VTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 71% | $27,554 | — |
| 40 | Purdue University West Lafayette, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 83% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis field (CIP 30.26) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 22 states & territories
Where Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduates come from. Each state links to all Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1062, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis can pursue careers as postsecondary teachers, social scientists, and more. The job outlook for these roles is about as fast as average, with an expected growth of 2.4% and approximately 1,100 annual openings. The median wage for related occupations is $84,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 30.2601
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1062 | $85,020 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other SOC 25-1199 | $77,640 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~13,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other SOC 19-3099 | $101,110 | -1.7% Decline | ~3,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's degree, or Doctor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can become a postsecondary teacher, social scientist, or work in related fields.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.4% and around 1,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis?+
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis is CIP 30.2601 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis (CIP 30.26). NCES defines it as: An interdisciplinary program that focuses on the analysis and critique of culture in its varied forms, including values, ideas, belief systems, and expressive acts, and the relationship between cultural forms, everyday life, and structures of power. Includes instruction in anthropology, communications, history, literary studies, philosophy, political economy, and sociology, as well as recent theories and methodologies such as semiotics, deconstruction, postcolonial studies, gender theory, and ethnography.
How many institutions offer Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis programs?+
40 U.S. institutions reported Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 22 states & territories, awarding 372 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduates.
How much do Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis most directly leads to, pays a median of $85,020 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $21,458, College Scorecard.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis graduates, so its figures match the Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis program page.
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