European Studies and Civilization: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
European Studies and Civilization is an interdisciplinary academic field dedicated to the comprehensive exploration of the historical development, cultural evolution, political systems, social structures, and economic dynamics shaping Europe and its global influence. This program equips students with critical analytical skills to understand the continent’s complex identity, from ancient civilizations to contemporary challenges.
- European History: Traces major historical epochs, including the Renaissance, Enlightenment, World Wars, and the formation of the European Union, emphasizing cause-and-effect relationships across time.
- Political Systems and Governance: Examines the evolution of state structures, democratic institutions, regional integration, and policy frameworks across European nations.
- Cultural Studies: Investigates literature, art, philosophy, religion, and media to understand how cultural expressions shape national and transnational identities.
- Social and Economic Structures: Analyzes labor markets, social welfare systems, demographic shifts, and economic integration within the European context.
- Migration and Diaspora Studies: Explores historical and modern migration patterns, including internal displacement, refugee movements, and transnational communities.
- Colonial and Imperial Legacies: Studies the impact of European colonial empires on global power dynamics, cultural exchange, and post-colonial societies.
European Studies and Civilization Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
European Studies and Civilization Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with European Studies and Civilization degrees, including Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 11,430 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1062 | $84,290 | $51,130 - $164,650 | 11,430 | N/A |
European Studies and Civilization Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $61,920 in Florida to $113,070 in California—a 83% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Vermont, and Kansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 11,430 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for European Studies and Civilization by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 28 institutions offering European Studies and Civilization programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in European Studies and Civilization is found at University of Wisconsin-Madison (30 graduates), New York University (NYU) (11 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU) (11 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (9 graduates), and Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (6 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 111 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
30 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
6 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Other Award
|
6 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Amherst College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Private | amherst.edu |
| Middlebury College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Middlebury, Vermont | Private | middlebury.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
2 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Pepperdine University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Malibu, California | Private | pepperdine.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Bates College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lewiston, Maine | Private | bates.edu |
| United States Military Academy (USMA) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | West Point, New York | Public | westpoint.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Greeley, Colorado | Public | unco.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Master's
|
1 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about European Studies and Civilization programs
How much can I earn with a European Studies and Civilization degree?
Salaries for European Studies and Civilization graduates vary by role and location. Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $84,290 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $113,070 compared to $61,920 in Florida. Approximately 11,430 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest European Studies and Civilization programs?
Currently 28 accredited institutions offer European Studies and Civilization degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Wisconsin-Madison (30 graduates), New York University (NYU) (11 graduates), and Brigham Young University (BYU) (11 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in European Studies and Civilization growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 291 in 2010 to a peak of 175 in 2020, before declining slightly to 111 in 2023-24. This represents a 62% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a European Studies and Civilization degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 11,430 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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