Best institutions to study African-American/Black Studies
A program that focuses on the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of the North American peoples descended from the African diaspora; focusing on the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, but also including reference to Latin American elements of the diaspora.
164 U.S. institutions graduated 764 African-American/Black Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 05.0201, a specialization of Ethnic (CIP 05.02), and leads most directly to the Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1062).
About African-American/Black Studies programs
A program that focuses on the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of the North American peoples descended from the African diaspora; focusing on the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, but also including reference to Latin American elements of the diaspora.
See also: 05.0101 - African Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The African-American/Black Studies program focuses on the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of North American peoples descended from the African diaspora. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes the experiences and contributions of African Americans, while also considering elements from Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. It is designed for students interested in understanding the complexities of race and ethnicity in contemporary society.
Students in this program develop critical skills such as reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework typically includes topics related to race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives, preparing graduates for thoughtful engagement in diverse environments.
Credentials awarded
What African-American/Black Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree574 graduates / yr · 150 institutions75%
- Master's degree88 graduates / yr · 24 institutions12%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate37 graduates / yr · 7 institutions4.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year33 graduates / yr · 6 institutions4.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship27 graduates / yr · 10 institutions3.5%
- Associate's degree3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
African-American/Black Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 914 |
| 2013 | 802 |
| 2014 | 760 |
| 2015 | 743 |
| 2016 | 765 |
| 2017 | 787 |
| 2018 | 815 |
| 2019 | 887 |
| 2020 | 1,007 |
| 2021 | 936 |
| 2022 | 809 |
| 2023 | 731 |
| 2024 | 724 |
| 2025 | 764 |
Top 50 institutions for African-American/Black Studies, 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 earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 24 | 93% | — | $29,914 |
| 2 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 24 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 3 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 22 | 53% | — | $27,932 |
| 4 | Howard University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 70% | $48,194 | — |
| 5 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 17 | 89% | — | $37,046 |
| 6 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 16 | 75% | — | $26,260 |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sMaster's | 15 | 90% | — | $28,841 |
| 8 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 14 | 93% | — | $34,559 |
| 9 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 96% | $14,689 | $31,967 |
| 10 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 53% | — | $32,441 |
| 11 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 13 | 86% | — | $32,563 |
| 12 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicMaster's | 13 | 74% | — | — |
| 13 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert.DoctoralMaster's | 13 | 95% | $14,799 | $39,012 |
| 14 | Princeton University Princeton, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 98% | $13,729 | — |
| 15 | Amherst College Amherst, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 94% | $16,081 | $40,120 |
| 16 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor's | 12 | 69% | — | $37,411 |
| 17 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 11 | 83% | — | — |
| 18 | University at Albany Albany, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 11 | 61% | — | $29,823 |
| 19 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 10 | 81% | — | $38,124 |
| 20 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 80% | — | — |
| 21 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 10 | 96% | $15,315 | $55,206 |
| 22 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 76% | — | $29,267 |
| 23 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 96% | $27,025 | $32,624 |
| 24 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor's | 9 | 91% | — | $26,198 |
| 25 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 96% | — | $34,197 |
| 26 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 91% | $21,126 | — |
| 27 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor's | 8 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 28 | Oberlin College Oberlin, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 81% | $28,313 | — |
| 29 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 8 | 85% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 61% | — | $29,990 |
| 31 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 32 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 7 | 88% | — | $31,179 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 86% | — | $36,426 |
| 34 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicBachelor's | 7 | 51% | — | — |
| 35 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor's | 6 | 73% | — | — |
| 36 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 76% | — | $31,443 |
| 37 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 38 | Brandeis University Waltham, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 86% | $25,074 | $35,057 |
| 39 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 49% | — | $41,872 |
| 40 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 93% | — | $33,991 |
| 41 | CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NYPublicBachelor's | 6 | 51% | — | $36,292 |
| 42 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 43 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicBachelor's | 6 | 72% | — | $23,751 |
| 44 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 63% | — | $29,607 |
| 45 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 68% | $35,057 | $25,623 |
| 46 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 92% | $12,032 | $41,156 |
| 47 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 53% | — | $27,058 |
| 48 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 57% | — | $26,767 |
| 49 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 83% | — | $32,341 |
| 50 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 79% | $36,488 | $26,868 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Ethnic field (CIP 05.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 40 states
Where African-American/Black Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Ethnic 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 the African-American/Black Studies program often pursue careers as postsecondary teachers in area, ethnic, and cultural studies. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth of 2.4% and approximately 1,100 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $84,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 05.0201
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 |
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 African-American/Black Studies 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
Other Ethnic specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Ethnic (CIP 05.02).
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesCIP 05.02992,170 graduates / yr127 institutions
- Women's StudiesCIP 05.02072,141 graduates / yr300 institutions
- Disability StudiesCIP 05.0210583 graduates / yr28 institutions
- American Indian/CIP 05.0202
Native American Studies 528 graduates / yr87 institutions - Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/CIP 05.0203
Chicano Studies 510 graduates / yr54 institutions - Ethnic StudiesCIP 05.0200505 graduates / yr74 institutions
- Deaf StudiesCIP 05.0211474 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Asian-American StudiesCIP 05.0206129 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Gay/CIP 05.0208
Lesbian Studies 75 graduates / yr17 institutions - Folklore StudiesCIP 05.0209partial data60 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Comparative Group StudiesCIP 05.0212partial data42 graduates / yr7 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 164 colleges offering the African-American/Black Studies program in the U.S.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, speaking, and active learning.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.4% and 1,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for African-American/Black Studies?+
African-American/Black Studies is CIP 05.0201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Ethnic (CIP 05.02). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of the North American peoples descended from the African diaspora; focusing on the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, but also including reference to Latin American elements of the diaspora.
How many institutions offer African-American/Black Studies programs?+
164 U.S. institutions reported African-American/Black Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 40 states, awarding 764 credentials in the year. That is 9.6% of all Ethnic graduates.
How much do African-American/Black Studies 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 African-American/Black Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $85,020 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Ethnic field report median earnings of $31,967 one year after graduation (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.
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