Best colleges for Museology/Museum Studies
A program that focuses on the attitudes, knowledge, and skills required to develop, prepare, organize, administer, conserve, store and retrieve artifacts, exhibits and entire collections in museums and galleries, and that prepares individuals to assume curatorial, technical and managerial positions in museums.
77 U.S. institutions graduated 889 Museology/Museum Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 30.1401, a specialization of Museology/Museum Studies (CIP 30.14), and leads most directly to the Museum Technicians and Conservators occupation (BLS SOC 25-4013).
About Museology/Museum Studies programs
A program that focuses on the attitudes, knowledge, and skills required to develop, prepare, organize, administer, conserve, store and retrieve artifacts, exhibits and entire collections in museums and galleries, and that prepares individuals to assume curatorial, technical and managerial positions in museums. Includes instruction in institutional management, acquisition, exhibit design, conservation, packing techniques, and public relations.
See also: 50.1002 - Fine and Studio Arts Management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Museology/Museum Studies program focuses on the essential knowledge and skills needed to manage and curate collections in museums and galleries. This interdisciplinary field prepares students for various roles within the museum sector, including curatorial, technical, and managerial positions. It is ideal for individuals passionate about preserving cultural heritage and educating the public through exhibits and collections.
Students in this program gain expertise in institutional management, exhibit design, conservation techniques, and public relations. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and communication skills, alongside knowledge in fine arts, history, and administration.
Credentials awarded
What Museology/Museum Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree542 graduates / yr · 34 institutions61%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate164 graduates / yr · 27 institutions18%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year97 graduates / yr · 11 institutions11%
- Bachelor's degree41 graduates / yr · 11 institutions4.6%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years21 graduates / yr · 4 institutions2.4%
- Post-master's certificate20 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.2%
- Associate's degree4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.4%
Graduates over time
Museology/Museum Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 593 |
| 2013 | 656 |
| 2014 | 700 |
| 2015 | 705 |
| 2016 | 690 |
| 2017 | 717 |
| 2018 | 777 |
| 2019 | 792 |
| 2020 | 869 |
| 2021 | 810 |
| 2022 | 824 |
| 2023 | 882 |
| 2024 | 824 |
| 2025 | 889 |
Top 50 institutions for Museology/Museum 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 83 | 94% | $11,888 |
| 2 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 72 | 98% | $15,013 |
| 3 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicMaster's | 72 | 75% | — |
| 4 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 51 | 84% | $29,789 |
| 5 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicPost-degree cert. | 38 | 75% | — |
| 6 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 33 | 88% | $29,023 |
| 7 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 33 | 85% | — |
| 8 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster's | 29 | — | — |
| 9 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 89% | — |
| 10 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 22 | 54% | — |
| 11 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 70% | $37,121 |
| 12 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 18 | 94% | $23,570 |
| 13 | SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NYPublicMaster's | 17 | 69% | — |
| 14 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 95% | $22,242 |
| 15 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 90% | — |
| 16 | Ohio University Athens, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 16 | 65% | — |
| 17 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 84% | $28,851 |
| 18 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 14 | 80% | $35,682 |
| 19 | Western Illinois University Macomb, ILPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 13 | 45% | — |
| 20 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 12 | 93% | — |
| 21 | Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, LAPublicMaster's | 11 | 13% | — |
| 22 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicPost-degree cert. | 11 | 49% | — |
| 23 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 10 | 69% | — |
| 24 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 52% | — |
| 25 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicMaster's | 9 | 62% | — |
| 26 | Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NYPublicMaster's | 9 | 81% | — |
| 27 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 70% | $28,133 |
| 28 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 73% | — |
| 29 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 8 | 76% | $28,888 |
| 30 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsPost-degree cert. | 8 | 75% | — |
| 31 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicMaster's | 8 | 72% | — |
| 32 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 58% | — |
| 33 | School of Visual Arts New York, NYPrivate for-profitMaster's | 7 | 76% | $58,518 |
| 34 | Brightpoint Community College Chester, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 38% | — |
| 35 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicMaster's | 6 | 50% | — |
| 36 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicMaster's | 6 | 74% | — |
| 37 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MDPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 89% | — |
| 38 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 65% | — |
| 39 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 58% | — |
| 40 | University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NMPublicMaster's | 6 | 55% | — |
| 41 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 57% | — |
| 42 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 85% | — |
| 43 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 49% | — |
| 44 | Fort Lewis College Durango, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 36% | — |
| 45 | University of West Georgia Carrollton, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 43% | — |
| 46 | Earlham College Richmond, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 69% | $23,213 |
| 47 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 69% | $27,376 |
| 48 | Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development Santa Fe, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 5 | 15% | — |
| 49 | Norwich University Northfield, VTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 60% | $23,982 |
| 50 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster's | 4 | 91% | — |
Offered in 34 states
Where Museology/Museum Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Museology/Museum Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-4013, Museum Technicians and Conservators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Museology/Museum Studies program can pursue careers as Museum Technicians and Conservators, Curators, and Archivists. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 5.4% and approximately 1,900 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $47,460, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 30.1401
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Museum Technicians and Conservatorsprimary SOC 25-4013 | $51,440 | +5.4% Faster than average | ~1,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other SOC 25-1199 | $77,640 | +1.8% Little or no change | ~13,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Curators SOC 25-4012 | $63,420 | +7.0% Faster than average | ~1,800 | Master's degree |
Archivists SOC 25-4011 | $64,550 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Master's 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 Museology/Museum 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
- Install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts' safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set up.
- Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts, designing and fabricating missing or broken parts, to restore them to their original appearance and prevent deterioration.
- Clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes.
- Photograph objects for documentation.
- Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
- Prepare artifacts for storage and shipping.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees are offered in Museology/Museum Studies?+
The program offers a Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, and Bachelor's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What are the primary tasks in a museum career?+
Tasks include arranging exhibits, repairing artifacts, and documenting collections.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 77 colleges offering Museology/Museum Studies in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Museology/Museum Studies?+
Museology/Museum Studies is CIP 30.1401 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Museology/Museum Studies (CIP 30.14). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the attitudes, knowledge, and skills required to develop, prepare, organize, administer, conserve, store and retrieve artifacts, exhibits and entire collections in museums and galleries, and that prepares individuals to assume curatorial, technical and managerial positions in museums. Includes instruction in institutional management, acquisition, exhibit design, conservation, packing techniques, and public relations.
How many institutions offer Museology/Museum Studies programs?+
77 U.S. institutions reported Museology/Museum Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 34 states, awarding 889 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Museology/Museum Studies graduates.
How much do Museology/Museum Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Museum Technicians and Conservators occupation, which Museology/Museum Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $51,440 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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 Museology/Museum Studies graduates, so its figures match the Museology/Museum Studies program page.
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