Best institutions to study Women's Studies
A program that focuses on the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of women, and the development of modern feminism in relation to the roles played by women in different periods and locations in North America and the world.
300 U.S. institutions graduated 2,141 Women's Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 05.0207, 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 Women's Studies programs
A program that focuses on the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of women, and the development of modern feminism in relation to the roles played by women in different periods and locations in North America and the world. Programs may focus on literature, philosophy, and the arts as much as on social studies and policy.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Women's Studies (Ethnic) program is designed for students interested in exploring the history, sociology, politics, culture, and economics of women. This interdisciplinary field examines the development of modern feminism and the roles women have played across different periods and locations, both in North America and globally. It is ideal for those passionate about gender studies and cultural analysis.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework often includes literature, philosophy, and the arts, alongside social studies and policy, providing a comprehensive understanding of women's experiences and contributions.
Credentials awarded
What Women's Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,064 graduates / yr · 208 institutions50%
- Associate's degree350 graduates / yr · 54 institutions16%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year245 graduates / yr · 24 institutions11%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate242 graduates / yr · 51 institutions11%
- Master's degree159 graduates / yr · 37 institutions7.4%
- Post-master's certificate30 graduates / yr · 7 institutions1.4%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years21 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.0%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship20 graduates / yr · 10 institutions0.9%
- Award of less than 12 weeks7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Women's Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,943 |
| 2013 | 1,934 |
| 2014 | 1,926 |
| 2015 | 1,840 |
| 2016 | 2,006 |
| 2017 | 2,022 |
| 2018 | 2,194 |
| 2019 | 2,201 |
| 2020 | 2,162 |
| 2021 | 2,252 |
| 2022 | 2,257 |
| 2023 | 2,149 |
| 2024 | 2,178 |
| 2025 | 2,141 |
Top 50 institutions for Women's 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 Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 170 | 90% | — | $28,841 |
| 2 | Spelman College Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 52 | 78% | $35,132 | $28,080 |
| 3 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 40 | 91% | — | $26,198 |
| 4 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 35 | 65% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 31 | 65% | — | — |
| 6 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate's | 30 | 45% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 28 | 85% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert.Master's | 25 | 69% | — | — |
| 9 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 24 | 75% | — | $31,140 |
| 10 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicAssociate's | 23 | 40% | — | — |
| 11 | Evergreen Valley College San Jose, CAPublicAssociate's | 23 | 41% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 23 | 89% | — | $34,777 |
| 13 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 22 | 0% | — | $40,719 |
| 14 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor's | 20 | 64% | — | $20,109 |
| 15 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 20 | 93% | — | $33,991 |
| 16 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 20 | 84% | $28,851 | $18,854 |
| 17 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 70% | — | — |
| 18 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 56% | — | $30,628 |
| 19 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 19 | 85% | — | $31,459 |
| 20 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 19 | 64% | — | — |
| 21 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 18 | 76% | — | $29,267 |
| 22 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicPost-degree cert. | 18 | 65% | — | — |
| 23 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 24 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 72% | — | — |
| 25 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor's | 17 | 93% | — | $34,559 |
| 26 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 83% | — | $32,341 |
| 27 | Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 49% | — | — |
| 28 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAssociate's | 17 | 37% | — | — |
| 29 | West Valley College Saratoga, CAPublicAssociate's | 17 | 51% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 17 | 33% | — | — |
| 31 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 17 | 56% | — | $29,723 |
| 32 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 17 | 89% | — | $37,046 |
| 33 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 16 | 68% | — | $40,719 |
| 34 | Citrus College Glendora, CAPublicAssociate's | 16 | 41% | — | — |
| 35 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAssociate's | 16 | 37% | — | — |
| 36 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 75% | — | $34,216 |
| 37 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 16 | — | — | — |
| 38 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 15 | 74% | — | — |
| 39 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 15 | 68% | $28,141 | $18,029 |
| 40 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 15 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 41 | Smith College Northampton, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 89% | $17,183 | $19,105 |
| 42 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 15 | 75% | — | — |
| 43 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 15 | 84% | — | — |
| 44 | San Jose City College San Jose, CAPublicAssociate's | 14 | 34% | — | — |
| 45 | Sierra College Rocklin, CAPublicAssociate's | 14 | 42% | — | — |
| 46 | Grinnell College Grinnell, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 88% | $14,470 | — |
| 47 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 14 | 61% | — | $29,990 |
| 48 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 14 | 83% | — | — |
| 49 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 14 | 54% | — | — |
| 50 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicMaster's | 13 | 73% | — | — |
* 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 46 states
Where Women's 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 Women's Studies (Ethnic) program can pursue careers as Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 2.4% and approximately 1,100 openings each year. The median wage for this occupation is $84,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 05.0207
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 Women's 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
- 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 a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or a postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active learning.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work 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%.
What is the CIP code for Women's Studies?+
Women's Studies is CIP 05.0207 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 women, and the development of modern feminism in relation to the roles played by women in different periods and locations in North America and the world. Programs may focus on literature, philosophy, and the arts as much as on social studies and policy.
How many institutions offer Women's Studies programs?+
300 U.S. institutions reported Women's Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 46 states, awarding 2,141 credentials in the year. That is 26.8% of all Ethnic graduates.
How much do Women's 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 Women's 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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