Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Best colleges for Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Ranked by graduate earnings

Compare 100 U.S. colleges offering Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 38 states.

Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $26,539 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 30.23 and the Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC).

Institutions
100
offering CIP 30.23
States offered
38
with a program page
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
737
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$26,539
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
US pay · Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
$107,690
BLS OEWS May 2025

About Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies programs

The Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies program is a multi-disciplinary academic field that prepares students to understand and engage with diverse cultures. It focuses on developing skills in communication and cultural awareness, enabling students to navigate both similar and vastly different cultural contexts effectively. This program is ideal for individuals seeking to enhance their intercultural competence and foster inclusive environments in various settings.

Learn more about Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies →

What you'll learn

Students in this program will explore core concepts related to intercultural relations, cultural identity, and the dynamics of power within different cultures. Coursework typically emphasizes critical thinking, effective communication, and strategies for successful interaction across cultural boundaries.

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Biola University
La Mirada, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$25,7502168%$26,727$24,500
2University of Idaho
Moscow, ID Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$26,5391257%—$18,622

Specializations within Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies

1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 30.23 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.

Offered across 38 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
Idaholimited1$26,539University of Idaho
California7$25,750Biola University
Alabama3——
Arizonalimited1——
Arkansaslimited1——
Coloradolimited1——
Connecticut3——
Floridalimited1——
Illinoislimited2——
Indiana4——
Iowa4——
Kansas3——
Kentuckylimited2——
Marylandlimited2——
Massachusetts6——
Michiganlimited1——
Minnesotalimited2——
Mississippilimited2——
Missouri4——
New Jersey4——
New Yorklimited2——
North Carolinalimited2——
North Dakotalimited1——
Ohio8——
Oregonlimited1——
Pennsylvania11——
Rhode Islandlimited1——
South Carolinalimited2——
South Dakotalimited2——
Tennesseelimited2——
Texaslimited2——
Hawaiilimited1——
Utahlimited1——
Virginialimited2——
Washington3——
Wisconsinlimited2——
Georgialimited2——
Mainelimited1——

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3099, Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies program can pursue various careers that require strong intercultural skills. Although the job outlook indicates a decline of 1.7%, there are still approximately 3,200 annual openings in this field. The median wage for positions related to this area is $100,340, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-1.7%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~3,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$100,340
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
37,100
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
US average pay
$107,690
annual, BLS OEWS May 2025
US median pay
$101,110
annual

Top-paying metros

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
$141,440avg
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
$130,910avg
College Station-Bryan, TX
$123,170avg
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
$120,260avg
Charlottesville, VA
$119,150avg

Related careers

Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
$107,690 avg · 37,100 jobs
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$98,330 avg · 11,300 jobs

CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies

The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.23.

Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.23 (Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.

SOC codeOccupation
19-3099Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Otherprimary
25-1062Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.

Common questions

What is Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies?+

It is a multi-disciplinary program focused on understanding and engaging with diverse cultures.

What skills will I gain from this program?+

You will develop communication skills, cultural awareness, and strategies for effective interaction across cultures.

What is the job outlook for graduates?+

The job outlook shows a decline of 1.7%, with about 3,200 annual openings.

What is the median wage for careers in this field?+

The median wage is $100,340 for positions related to this program.

How much do Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies graduates earn?+

Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $26,539, College Scorecard (2019); the Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other occupation pays about $107,690 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).

What is the CIP code for Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies?+

Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies maps to CIP 30.23 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.

↑ Zoom outAll programs
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies by stateIdahoCaliforniaAlabamaArizonaArkansasColoradoConnecticutFloridaIllinoisIndiana

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

Explore every U.S. college in one conversation

Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.

Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card