Best institutions to study Dispute Resolution
Compare 33 U.S. colleges offering Dispute Resolution by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 21 states.
Dispute Resolution programs report a median of $41,622 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 30.28 and the Labor Relations Specialists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Dispute Resolution programs
The Dispute Resolution program focuses on the process of resolving conflicts between parties through legal means. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the intricacies of negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, equipping them with the skills necessary to facilitate effective resolutions in various contexts, including labor relations and contract negotiations.
Students in the Dispute Resolution program will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics related to law and government, human resources, and negotiation strategies, preparing graduates to navigate complex interpersonal and organizational disputes.
Top 1 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · Certificate degree | $41,622 | 24 | 58% | — | $21,250 |
Offered across 21 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missourilimited | 1 | $41,622 | Missouri State University - Springfield |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 3 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 2 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 5 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 13-1075, Labor Relations Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Dispute Resolution program can pursue careers in various fields, including labor relations and human resources. The job outlook indicates little or no change in the field, with an estimated 5,100 annual openings and a median wage of $93,500 for those holding a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Dispute Resolution
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.28.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.28 (Dispute Resolution) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 13-1075 | Labor Relations Specialistsprimary |
| 23-1022 | Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators |
| 25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1112 | Law Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Dispute Resolution programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
- Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
- Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations.
- Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
- Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
- Prepare evidence for disciplinary hearings, including preparing witnesses to testify.
Concentrations within Dispute Resolution
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Dispute ResolutionCIP 30.2801
A program that provides individuals with skills in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, that can be applied to resolve disputes in a variety of settings, including business, legal, domestic, and l
Common questions
What is dispute resolution?+
Dispute resolution is the process of resolving conflicts between parties, often through legal means.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
Graduates can work in labor relations, human resources, and other fields that require conflict resolution.
What is the job outlook for dispute resolution professionals?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 5,100 annual openings and a median wage of $93,500.
How much do Dispute Resolution graduates earn?+
Dispute Resolution graduates report median earnings of $41,622 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Labor Relations Specialists occupation pays about $98,720 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Dispute Resolution?+
Dispute Resolution maps to CIP 30.28 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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