Best colleges for Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
A program that focuses on the dynamic social relations between and among majority and minority groups and different minority groups, and ways to promote mutual tolerance, inter-group cooperation, and the leadership and management of diverse groups and diversity issues in family, educational, recreational, and work settings.
100 U.S. institutions graduated 737 Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 30.2301, a specialization of Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies (CIP 30.23), and leads most directly to the Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 19-3099).
About Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies programs
A program that focuses on the dynamic social relations between and among majority and minority groups and different minority groups, and ways to promote mutual tolerance, inter-group cooperation, and the leadership and management of diverse groups and diversity issues in family, educational, recreational, and work settings. Includes instruction in ethnic and cultural studies, group psychology, sociology, anthropology, conflict resolution, human services and resources, and applications to various functional environments.
See also: 05.0200 - Ethnic Studies., 09.0907 - International and Intercultural Communication.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies program focuses on the complex social dynamics between majority and minority groups, as well as among different minority groups. It aims to foster mutual tolerance and cooperation, equipping students with the skills necessary to lead and manage diverse groups in various settings such as family, education, and the workplace. This program is ideal for those interested in understanding and addressing diversity issues.
Students in this program engage in coursework that covers ethnic and cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, group psychology, and conflict resolution. This interdisciplinary approach prepares graduates to navigate and promote inclusivity in diverse environments.
Credentials awarded
What Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year321 graduates / yr · 37 institutions44%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate154 graduates / yr · 25 institutions21%
- Master's degree152 graduates / yr · 18 institutions21%
- Bachelor's degree69 graduates / yr · 20 institutions9.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship15 graduates / yr · 4 institutions2.0%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years12 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.6%
- Doctor's degree - other5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
- Post-master's certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
- Award of less than 12 weeks3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
- Associate's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 313 |
| 2013 | 431 |
| 2014 | 463 |
| 2015 | 463 |
| 2016 | 467 |
| 2017 | 335 |
| 2018 | 394 |
| 2019 | 416 |
| 2020 | 455 |
| 2021 | 464 |
| 2022 | 501 |
| 2023 | 573 |
| 2024 | 683 |
| 2025 | 737 |
Top 50 institutions for Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity 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 starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 47 | 44% | — | — |
| 2 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 43 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 3 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 42 | 71% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 90% | — | — |
| 5 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicMaster's | 30 | 57% | — | — |
| 6 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 56% | — | — |
| 7 | Wheaton College Wheaton, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 26 | 85% | $23,461 | — |
| 8 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 23 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 9 | Biola University La Mirada, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 21 | 68% | $26,727 | $25,750 |
| 10 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 52% | — | — |
| 11 | Brigham Young University - Hawaii Laie, HIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 53% | $13,884 | — |
| 12 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 15 | — | — | — |
| 13 | Ohio University Athens, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 65% | — | — |
| 14 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 48% | — | — |
| 15 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 62% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 57% | — | $26,539 |
| 17 | Stonehill College Easton, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 12 | 76% | $24,000 | — |
| 18 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 19 | Macalester College Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 87% | $21,441 | — |
| 20 | Rhode Island College Providence, RIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 48% | — | — |
| 21 | Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OHPublicMaster's | 10 | 64% | — | — |
| 22 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 9 | 59% | — | — |
| 23 | Rockhurst University Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 9 | 75% | $21,890 | — |
| 24 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicMaster's | 9 | 67% | — | — |
| 25 | The Evergreen State College Olympia, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 41% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 8 | 64% | — | — |
| 27 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 75% | — | — |
| 28 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 58% | $6,608 | — |
| 29 | University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, TXPublicMaster's | 8 | 52% | — | — |
| 30 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 8 | 89% | — | — |
| 31 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 86% | — | — |
| 32 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CTPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 76% | $36,137 | — |
| 33 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 34 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 65% | — | — |
| 35 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 46% | — | — |
| 36 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 59% | — | — |
| 37 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 6 | 79% | $34,418 | — |
| 38 | World Mission University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 100% | $16,598 | — |
| 39 | California Prestige University Santa Fe Springs, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 6 | — | — | — |
| 40 | Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 5 | 53% | $25,892 | — |
| 41 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 5 | 69% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 61% | — | — |
| 43 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicMaster's | 4 | 70% | — | — |
| 44 | Drury University Springfield, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 4 | 62% | $20,482 | — |
| 45 | Park University Parkville, MOPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 38% | $16,013 | — |
| 46 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 58% | — | — |
| 47 | Wagner College Staten Island, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 4 | 65% | $27,316 | — |
| 48 | Villanova University Villanova, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 4 | 92% | $33,774 | — |
| 49 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 50 | Divine Word College Epworth, IAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 3 | 100% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies field (CIP 30.23) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 38 states
Where Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies programs offered there.
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 may pursue careers as social scientists or area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers. The job outlook for these roles indicates a decline of 1.7%, with approximately 3,200 annual openings. A typical education requirement is a bachelor's degree, and the median wage for these positions is $100,340.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 30.2301
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Otherprimary SOC 19-3099 | $101,110 | -1.7% Decline | ~3,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1062 | $85,020 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, a postbaccalaureate certificate, a master's degree, or a bachelor's degree.
How many colleges in the U.S. offer this program?+
Approximately 100 colleges in the U.S. offer the Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies program.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in ethnic and cultural studies, sociology, conflict resolution, and group psychology.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 1.7%, with around 3,200 annual openings for related positions.
What is the CIP code for Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies?+
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies is CIP 30.2301 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies (CIP 30.23). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the dynamic social relations between and among majority and minority groups and different minority groups, and ways to promote mutual tolerance, inter-group cooperation, and the leadership and management of diverse groups and diversity issues in family, educational, recreational, and work settings. Includes instruction in ethnic and cultural studies, group psychology, sociology, anthropology, conflict resolution, human services and resources, and applications to various functional environments.
How many institutions offer Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies programs?+
100 U.S. institutions reported Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 38 states, awarding 737 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies graduates.
How much do Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other occupation, which Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $101,110 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $26,539, 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies graduates, so its figures match the Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies program page.
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