Best institutions to study Labor Studies
A program that focuses on the study of various aspects of work, labor organization and policy, and labor movements from the perspective of the social sciences and history.
13 U.S. institutions graduated 137 Labor Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.1004, a specialization of Human Resources Management and Services (CIP 52.10), and leads most directly to the Labor Relations Specialists occupation (BLS SOC 13-1075).
About Labor Studies programs
A program that focuses on the study of various aspects of work, labor organization and policy, and labor movements from the perspective of the social sciences and history. Includes instruction in labor history; political and ideological issues; worker movements and social organizations; civil rights; labor law and policy studies; labor economics; international and comparative labor studies; and applications to specific industries, groups, locations, and time periods.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Labor Studies program, part of the Human Resources Management and Services field, focuses on the social sciences and historical perspectives of work, labor organization, and policy. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding labor movements, civil rights, and labor law, preparing them for roles that influence workplace dynamics and employee relations.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers labor history, political issues, and labor economics, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to navigate complex labor relations and advocate for workers' rights.
Credentials awarded
What Labor Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree50 graduates / yr · 9 institutions37%
- Master's degree43 graduates / yr · 3 institutions31%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate38 graduates / yr · 2 institutions28%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.5%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
Graduates over time
Labor Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 207 |
| 2013 | 133 |
| 2014 | 122 |
| 2015 | 101 |
| 2016 | 128 |
| 2017 | 103 |
| 2018 | 112 |
| 2019 | 123 |
| 2020 | 135 |
| 2021 | 154 |
| 2022 | 172 |
| 2023 | 132 |
| 2024 | 151 |
| 2025 | 137 |
Top 13 institutions for Labor 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 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 46 | — | — | — |
| 2 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 28 | 93% | — | — |
| 3 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicPost-degree cert. | 20 | 74% | — | $47,062 |
| 4 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicMaster's | 17 | 83% | — | — |
| 5 | California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 43% | — | — |
| 6 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 5 | 54% | — | $51,570 |
| 7 | Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CTPublicBachelor's | 4 | 58% | — | — |
| 8 | Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NYPublicMaster's | 4 | 41% | — | — |
| 9 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 50% | — | $46,041 |
| 10 | Indiana University - Northwest Gary, INPublicBachelor's | 2 | 37% | — | — |
| 11 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicDoctoral | 2 | 81% | — | $56,501 |
| 12 | Indiana University - South Bend South Bend, INPublicBachelor's | 1 | 40% | — | — |
| 13 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 69% | $34,539 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Human Resources Management and Services field (CIP 52.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 7 states
Where Labor Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Human Resources Management and Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 3 | 51 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center46 / yr |
| California | 3 | 35 | University of California - Los Angeles28 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 20 | Florida International University20 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 17 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst17 / yr |
| Indiana | 3 | 8 | Indiana University - Indianapolis5 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 4 | Eastern Connecticut State University4 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 2 | Michigan State University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 13-1075, Labor Relations Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Labor Studies program can pursue careers as Labor Relations Specialists, Human Resources Managers, or Business Teachers. The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 5,100 annual openings and a median wage of $93,500, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.1004
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Labor Relations Specialistsprimary SOC 13-1075 | $95,420 | -0.1% Little or no change | ~5,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Human Resources Managers SOC 11-3121 | $149,280 | +5.0% Faster than average | ~17,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Business Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1011 | $99,080 | +5.7% Faster than average | ~8,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Labor 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Human Resources Management and Services specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Human Resources Management and Services (CIP 52.10).
- Human Resources Management/CIP 52.1001
Personnel Administration 18,033 graduates / yr518 institutions - Human Resources DevelopmentCIP 52.10053,502 graduates / yr76 institutions
- Organizational Behavior StudiesCIP 52.10033,311 graduates / yr116 institutions
- Labor and Industrial RelationsCIP 52.10021,363 graduates / yr26 institutions
- Human Resources Management and ServicesCIP 52.1099906 graduates / yr31 institutions
- Executive/CIP 52.1006
Career Coaching partial data93 graduates / yr9 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Labor Studies?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Labor Studies?+
You can work as a Labor Relations Specialist, Human Resources Manager, or Business Teacher.
What is the job outlook for Labor Studies graduates?+
The job outlook is stable, with little or no change expected and around 5,100 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Labor Studies?+
Labor Studies is CIP 52.1004 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Human Resources Management and Services (CIP 52.10). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the study of various aspects of work, labor organization and policy, and labor movements from the perspective of the social sciences and history. Includes instruction in labor history; political and ideological issues; worker movements and social organizations; civil rights; labor law and policy studies; labor economics; international and comparative labor studies; and applications to specific industries, groups, locations, and time periods.
How many institutions offer Labor Studies programs?+
13 U.S. institutions reported Labor Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 137 credentials in the year. That is 0.5% of all Human Resources Management and Services graduates.
How much do Labor Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Labor Relations Specialists occupation, which Labor Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $95,420 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Human Resources Management and Services field report median earnings of $51,570 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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