Best institutions to study Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
Any instructional program in ethnic, cultural minority, gender, and group studies not listed above.
127 U.S. institutions graduated 2,170 Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 05.0299, 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 Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies programs
Any instructional program in ethnic, cultural minority, gender, and group studies not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies program offers students an opportunity to explore diverse perspectives and experiences related to ethnicity, culture, gender, and various social groups. This program is designed for individuals interested in understanding the complexities of identity and social dynamics in contemporary society.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics like race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives, equipping graduates with a comprehensive understanding of social issues.
Credentials awarded
What Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,278 graduates / yr · 19 institutions59%
- Bachelor's degree710 graduates / yr · 96 institutions33%
- Master's degree61 graduates / yr · 13 institutions2.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate47 graduates / yr · 12 institutions2.2%
- Associate's degree24 graduates / yr · 5 institutions1.1%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship21 graduates / yr · 8 institutions1.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years19 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Post-master's certificate5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 871 |
| 2013 | 873 |
| 2014 | 895 |
| 2015 | 806 |
| 2016 | 875 |
| 2017 | 971 |
| 2018 | 1,012 |
| 2019 | 2,497 |
| 2020 | 2,262 |
| 2021 | 1,929 |
| 2022 | 2,003 |
| 2023 | 2,159 |
| 2024 | 2,230 |
| 2025 | 2,170 |
Top 50 institutions for Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group 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 Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1,231 | 75% | — | $37,389 |
| 2 | California State University - East Bay Hayward, CAPublicBachelor's | 47 | 48% | — | $47,511 |
| 3 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 47 | 93% | — | $29,914 |
| 4 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicBachelor's | 40 | 56% | — | $30,628 |
| 5 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor's | 35 | 54% | — | $32,083 |
| 6 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 28 | 92% | $12,032 | $41,156 |
| 7 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 27 | 76% | — | $31,443 |
| 8 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 24 | 94% | $14,126 | $16,635 |
| 9 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 23 | 85% | — | $31,459 |
| 10 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 19 | 86% | — | $30,984 |
| 11 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 50% | — | $31,001 |
| 12 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 19 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 13 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CAPublicBachelor's | 18 | 68% | — | $40,253 |
| 14 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 96% | $27,025 | $32,624 |
| 15 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 17 | 86% | — | $32,563 |
| 16 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicBachelor's | 16 | 70% | — | $25,305 |
| 17 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 16 | 53% | — | $27,932 |
| 18 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 16 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 19 | Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, ILPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 16 | 22% | — | — |
| 20 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 16 | — | — | — |
| 21 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor's | 16 | 65% | — | — |
| 22 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 23 | CUNY City College New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 13 | 57% | — | $26,973 |
| 24 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 12 | 32% | — | $34,906 |
| 25 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 12 | 61% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor's | 11 | 64% | — | $20,109 |
| 27 | California State University - Chico Chico, CAPublicBachelor's | 10 | 63% | — | — |
| 28 | Simmons University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 72% | $24,848 | — |
| 29 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 30 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 49% | — | $30,844 |
| 31 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 80% | — | — |
| 32 | Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 84% | $26,083 | — |
| 33 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 65% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Washington - Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 63% | — | $31,459 |
| 35 | Gallaudet University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 8 | 47% | $14,382 | $31,541 |
| 36 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor's | 8 | 85% | — | $32,856 |
| 37 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicBachelor's | 8 | 53% | — | $32,441 |
| 38 | Lawrence University Appleton, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 77% | $19,788 | — |
| 39 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 7 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 40 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicBachelor's | 7 | 47% | — | — |
| 41 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicDoctoralMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 71% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 7 | 85% | — | $33,000 |
| 43 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 7 | 57% | — | $34,007 |
| 44 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 62% | $24,653 | — |
| 45 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 86% | — | — |
| 46 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 53% | — | $27,058 |
| 47 | Gavilan College Gilroy, CAPublicAssociate's | 6 | 42% | — | — |
| 48 | Wesleyan University Middletown, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 93% | $16,467 | — |
| 49 | Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 76% | $19,279 | — |
| 50 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NYPublicAssociate's | 6 | 25% | — | — |
* 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 38 states
Where Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group 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 Ethnic program may pursue careers as Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate 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 05.0299
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 Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group 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).
- Women's StudiesCIP 05.02072,141 graduates / yr300 institutions
- African-American/CIP 05.0201
Black Studies 764 graduates / yr164 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 an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can pursue a career as a postsecondary teacher in area, ethnic, and cultural studies.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.4% and 1,100 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies?+
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies is CIP 05.0299 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Ethnic (CIP 05.02). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in ethnic, cultural minority, gender, and group studies not listed above.
How many institutions offer Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies programs?+
127 U.S. institutions reported Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 38 states, awarding 2,170 credentials in the year. That is 27.2% of all Ethnic graduates.
How much do Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group 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 Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group 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 $31,459 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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